Spurs coach Redknapp compares star Gallas to England icon Bobby Moore

LONDON - Former Arsenal skipper William Gallas has gone from hate figure to cult hero for Tottenham Hotspurs fans, so much so, that his coach, Harry Redknapp has compared him to England icon Bobby Moore.

Tottenham fans kicked up a stink when coach Harry Redknapp signed Gallas this summer, but now they have been chanting the Frenchman’s name after another impeccable performance in the 3-0 win over Werder Bremen, the Sun reports.

It quoted Redknapp, as saying: “William was fantastic again - one piece of defending from him was particularly marvellous to watch. He shuffled Marko Marin down the line, held him up once, held him up again and the took the ball off him. It was a little bit reminiscent - I know its a long time ago - but I remember Bobby Moore doing that to Jairzinho.”

“It looked like Bobby was in trouble but he stayed on his feet, used his brain, held him up, fantastic defending,” Redknapp added.

Redknapp gave Gallas the Tottenham armband for the first time in Saturday’s 3-2 win over his old club at the Emirates.

And he kept it on Wednesday as Spurs clinched their place in the Champions League last 16 in their first year in the competition.

Gallas said: “Maybe the reason we have settled so well in the Champions League is the manager has a little bit of magic. (ANI)