Gareth Bale: 'Tottenham Hotspur taking Europa League seriously'

Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has revealed that he and his teammates want to win the Europa League this season.

The Welshman admits that Spurs were "unfortunate" not to qualify for the Champions League but are taking their European campaign seriously.

"Everybody wants to be playing in the Champions League," the Daily Mail quotes him as saying.

"Obviously we were unfortunate not to get in there last season but the UEFA Europa League is the next best thing.

"We've all put 100% in every game we have played, we've taken the competition seriously and hopefully we can win this one."

Bale joined Tottenham from Southampton in 2007.