Tottenham Champions League semi-final puts me in 's***** situation', says Rafael van der Vaart

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Tom Dutton30 April 2019

Former Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will have divided loyalties when Ajax visit north London for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.

The 36-year-old starred as Spurs reached the quarter-finals of the competition in 2011, when they were dispatched 5-0 across two legs by Real Madrid.

But Van der Vaart, who also won two league titles in five years with Ajax, spent the eve of Tuesday's first leg with Erik ten Hag's squad as they prepare for a first Champions League semi-final since 1997.

"It’s a s***** situation! I say it’s a good s***** situation," Van der Vaart told the Daily Mail. "I’m going to go to the final anyway. That’s 100 per cent. It’s a win-win."

Van der Vaart made 77 appearances for Spurs during a two-year spell from 2010, and later described his return to Hamburg in 2012 as “a stupid decision”.

"Tottenham holds a special place in my heart," he added ahead of Tuesday's first leg, before reflecting on a particular highlight when Spurs dealt Arsenal's title hopes a severe blow in a 3-3 draw at White Hart Lane.

"I scored twice," he said.

"But one of the best thing was to put the ball between Jack Wilshere’s legs two times. We had so much fun these years and that was the best thing for me."

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