Wednesday 27 September 2017 06:45, UK
Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham's two Champions League group-stage victories has given them massive motivation for their double-header against Real Madrid.
Harry Kane scored his first hat-trick in the competition in a 3-0 win over APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus, adding to his double from the opening 3-1 win against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley a fortnight ago.
Pochettino believes the two clashes with "the best team in the world", beginning in Madrid on October 17, will be a true test of how far his team has come since he took charge over three years ago.
"When you are going to play against the best team in the world - because I think they are the best today and in the last two seasons - you never know (if you are at their level)," he said.
"We will be very motivated to play against them. We know very well their quality. It's a big challenge for us to see which is our level, and if we can compete at this type of level.
"Both games will be very important to see which level we are and I will tell you after the games if we are. But I think we will be very motivated to play against the best team in the world.
"We are growing in the last few seasons, being competitive. We need to show ourselves we can compete at that level, against these types of teams, against Real Madrid in the Champions League."
Striker Kane has said that he wants to be regarded alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo - and the stats show he is closing the gap - but Pochettino avoided drawing comparisons with the Portuguese superstar.
"They are completely different types of players," Pochettino said. "For me, Harry is one of the best strikers. Cristiano is different, he's not a striker, he's like Messi and a different type of player.
"But it doesn't change my perception about Harry Kane because today he scored three goals. For me, he is one of the best, like I have said many times. He is Harry Kane."
