Bale the toast of Europe after Inter win

Gareth Bale's Tottenham team-mates were falling over themselves to lavish praise on the Welsh wizard after his virtuoso performance toppled European champions Inter Milan.

Bale's devastating display in Tuesday's 3-1 Champions League win has made him the most talked about footballer on the continent.

Luka Modric declared the 21-year-old "unstoppable", Tom Huddlestone described him as "unplayable" and Peter Crouch hailed him as "out of this world".

The man he made mincemeat of down Spurs' left-hand side for the second time in a fortnight also had his say, with Maicon - the player rated by many as the best right-back in the world - dubbing Bale's performance as "great".

Modric claimed Bale, who followed up his sensational San Siro hat-trick with two superb assists on Tuesday, could not be tamed.

"I don't know how you stop Gareth," the Croatia midfielder said. "If he plays like he did in the last few games, he is unstoppable."

Huddlestone added: "I don't know how you can defend against him.

"If you drop off, he can pick a pass and if you get too tight, then he is just going to run you."

Crouch, who scored the second goal from Bale's magnificent run and cross to end his recent goal drought, said: "Gareth Bale is a dream for any centre-forward.

"I know if I push forward, I'll get chances. Gareth was magnificent and he is really showing his class at the minute."

Despite being turned inside out by Bale, Maicon insisted the winger's performance was "not a surprise" to him.

"Anyone who knows English football knows who Bale is. He put in a great performance," Maicon said.

Bale signed a new five-year contract in the summer but that has not quelled feverish speculation linking him with the giants of the European game.

But Modric said: "We are not thinking about that. When you play well people look, but it's not important to think about other clubs and you must be focused on Tottenham and not other clubs because Tottenham is big enough for us and every player."