Harry Redknapp says he always thought Gareth Bale was a special player but he believes the Welshman now faces a big challenge to emerge from Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow after joining Real Madrid.
Biggest test
Bale sealed a record-breaking move from Spurs to Real Madrid this summer and Redknapp is interested to see how he will cope with the extra scrutiny of playing for one of the world's most high-profile clubs, admitting that his confidence could suffer if his partnership with Ronaldo does not flourish.
Queens Park Rangers manager Redknapp explained: "His biggest test will be to step out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo with confidence. That won't be easy.
"Ronaldo is a huge star at Madrid and will probably want to take nine out of 10 free-kicks - at least. Gareth will have to assert himself and that will require a strong mind.
"It is a tricky balancing act. He will have to be ready for the matches when he goes it alone, has a shot, misses and Ronaldo starts throwing his arms up in the air.
"His relationship with Ronaldo is the key to it all, because if the football is going well then all the added stresses are a minor irritation and nothing more.
"If Ronaldo feels threatened by Gareth's arrival, Madrid could be a lonely place so he will need to lean a lot on Ancelotti, who speaks good English, and Paul Clement, Carlo's assistant, who is English.
"Madrid must guard against Gareth falling into the role of support act. He had a little trouble adjusting to the bigger environment of Tottenham after leaving Southampton and this is 10 times as great as that move.
"If I have a worry it is that I remember the days when Gareth's confidence was draining fast at Spurs and there were genuine fears he might not make it. He wasn't the strongest of characters back then and he cannot be allowed to fall into that same negative state of mind.
"The positive is that Gareth has grown a lot since his earliest days at White Hart Lane. His performances improved but so did his attitude.
"He has to take that maturity to Madrid, though, or it will be hard."
