Spurs upset the odds to pip Manchester City to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League last season and have reaped the rewards this year by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals before exiting the competition after a 5-0 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid.
Harry Redknapp's side proved their credentials as one of the continent's best teams by dispatching European heavyweights AC Milan and Inter Milan on their way to making the last eight, but their place in next year's Champions League is far from assured. With seven league matches left, Spurs are three points behind fourth-placed City and although they have a match in hand, they face tough fixtures away to Liverpool, Chelsea and City, as well as a north London derby against Arsenal at White Hart Lane, before the end of the season.
The future of several key players, including Bale, could rest on whether Spurs make the top four, and he is determined to continue the encouraging steps Spurs have taken this year by finishing fourth.
"This is a massive club," said Bale.
"We've shown this year we can compete in major competitions, and now we have to qualify for the Champions League again. It is not going to be easy but we're fully focused on it."I've grown a lot from this competition. Because Wales are struggling to qualify for major competitions, the Champions League is the highest level I am going to play at for the time being.
"It is massively important that we get back into the Champions League. Everyone thrives on it and I want to play as much as I can now.
"There is a massive hunger within the squad to get back in. It has been a huge part of our season and it has been great for everyone involved. Now we're out of the Champions League, it's time to concentrate on the Premier League, and we know we can achieve fourth."
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