Hoddle defends Uefa spot for Worthington winners

Glenn Hoddle has hit back at claims the Worthington Cup winners should not be handed a place in European competition.

Glenn Hoddle has hit back at claims the Worthington Cup winners should not be handed a place in European competition.

"I have said for months now that the European place should be kept," Hoddle told BBCRadio 5 Live.

Hoddle takes Tottenham to Cardiff for tomorrow's final against Blackburn, looking to clinch a place in next season's UEFA Cup with victory at the Millennium Stadium.

The former England boss denies suggestions by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that the European place should go to the Premiership instead.

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Hoddle also believes the introduction of top Scottish clubs Rangers and Celtic would be another welcome boost for the much-maligned competition.

"I think we should make it a 'British Cup'. If we can keep the European place and it can be worked out and the Scottish teams joined at maybe the second round it would give it the prestigious look that it needs, maybe.

Manchester United and Arsenal have both fielded weakened teams in the Worthington Cup, with their priorities clearly lying elsewhere.

But Hoddle maintains many clubs still value the competition, which has been backed to keep its European prize for the winners by all 20 Premier League chairman.

"Every team has different agendas when they start off," admitted Hoddle. "If we were in the Champions League we would certainly want to go all the way and win the trophy - but we might do in a different manner.

"The Premiership is a little bit out of our reach at this time, but that is something for the future that we can build towards."

PA