Harry Redknapp hits back at former Tottenham player who felt frozen by infamous ice bucket celebration

By premiernews On Aug 7, 2024

Harry Redknapp insists he never held a grudge against David Bentley after the former winger claimed an infamous celebration cost him his place in the Tottenham starting XI.

Spurs They qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history in 2010, when they beat Manchester City 1-0 to seal fourth place.

Crouch scored the goal that sent Spurs into the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty

Peter Crouch's header in the 82nd minute will live long in the memories of fans. Bentley It was part of a hilarious celebration afterwards.

He and some of his teammates dumped a bucket of ice on the boss's head. Red button while speaking in a post-match interview.

However, Bentley only made three more appearances for Spurs before several loan spells away from north London, and he believes celebration may have played a part.

Asked by his former Spurs teammate Jamie O'Hara on talkSPORT's Sports Bar if that was the reason he never played for Spurs again, he said: “There were more reasons, that was one of them.

“There was a build-up of things that I probably didn't do right during that time. But Harry and I, he's a nice guy, he's okay, but that was probably the final nail in the coffin.

“But how did it happen? We qualified for the Champions League, it was a fortune for the football club to beat Manchester City and how much… I don't want to talk about money, but it was a fortune for the football club and it took the football club to a higher level.

“So the importance around the football club and obviously all the players are being rewarded, and you know how much it means to the fans that they are finally going to see Champions League football.

“The build-up to the game, there was a lot of pressure to do it, we were excited, the locker room after that was just… there was champagne, water everywhere.”

She added: “So we were there, I think everyone was just finishing up with it, and it wasn't even my idea, but you know how it is, 'Do you want to do…?' 'Yeah, let's go.' And I was in my pants, right? But I was just happy.

“I think he could have taken it… because I think he left me out in that game, he put Azza (Aaron Lennon) on, but Azza was better at that moment, he was better for the team and I respected that. But I came into that game, I was there at the moment when we scored the goal and I was part of that a little bit.”

Spurs players decided to throw a bucket of ice at Redknapp as they celebrated their victoryCredit: Sky Sports Retro YouTube

Bentley was iconically seen only in trousers, but his appearance for Spurs was limited afterCredit: Sky Sports Retro YouTube

O'Hara then asked if Redknapp took it literally and Bentley replied: “I think he did it because I felt that… it was because we loved him. I think he took it the other way around, I don't know if he did, but… I don't know. I heard he didn't take it very well, you know how he is, everyone tells you that, don't they?”

“It was (a great moment) and it's another moment that will live forever, right?” he added before being asked if he had any regrets and replying: “No!

“I love it and I would do it again because that's what it's all about. That moment in time will never go anywhere, it will live forever. It's in the best moments of my career, I love it because that's what it's all about, that's what football is all about.

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“That enjoyment, being part of that team, being with the lads and that coach, that moment, being paid to play football and qualifying for this, what a night. You have to enjoy it, you have to create moments like that because… look, Philosopher Bentley is going to come out!

“You have to create moments, you have to think beyond the established. Even if it's not directly about football, it is. Some of those things are and people remember them and now they talk to me about them. They live in people's heads. It's good, I love it.”

Redknapp, who was smiling at the time, appeared on talkSPORT Breakfast the following morning and hit back at Bentley.

“It was fun,” he admitted. “I never held a grudge against David Bentley, I just didn't cast him again.”

Bentley fell out of favour with the first team before being releasedCredit: AFP

But Redknapp admits they held no grudge.Credit: Getty

“No, I don't mean that, he's a good lad, he had some talent, David, he could play, the lad is lovely, he was one of the good ones, wasn't he?”

Bentley, a product of rivals Arsenal's academy, made 62 appearances for Spurs, scoring five goals and providing 11 assists.

He had loan spells at Birmingham City, West Ham, FC Rostov and his former club Blackburn Rovers before being released by Spurs in 2013, with his retirement announced a year later.

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