Keane hails Modric coup

Spurs star tips Croatian to be North London darling

By Alex Dunn   Last updated: 9th May 2008

Robbie Keane Tottenham

Keane to play with Modric

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Robbie Keane believes the signing of Luka Modric demonstrates Tottenham's determination to break the top four's hegemonic grip at the Premier League summit.

While Spurs' league campaign has been hampered by a change in manager mid-season and a severe lack of consistency, in the past few years it is they and Everton that have looked the likeliest to usurp the division's top dogs.

In an age when financial muscle is required to make inroads into the higher echelons, Juande Ramos has been backed unequivocally by the club's board.

A record equalling £16.5million fee paid for Modric is the type of signing that will excite the White Hart Lane faithful and Keane admits he too is looking to next season with renewed optimism.

'A Tottenham player'

"It shows how far the club have come. Getting into the Uefa Cup attracts players like him. If we had been out of the Uefa Cup, it might have been different," Keane told The Telegraph.

"It's vitally important that each season we grow, get better and better, try and break into that top four, and by doing so will attract players like Modric.

"What I saw of him against England (for Croatia), when he was fantastic, he will be a great signing. Modric creates so much as a midfielder it is only going to help me as a striker.

"Modric seems to fit the bill of a so-called 'Tottenham player', getting the ball down, passing and counter-attacking quickly."