FORMER Spurs winger Chris Waddle believes Robbie Keane could soon be be held in the affection at the club as legends Hoddle, Ardilies and Gazza, writes James Randall.

Waddle thinks that Keane - who today claimed he wanted to be with the nort Londoners for life - is well on his way to being talked about in the same terms as the club's greats.

He told the Irish Independent: "People look back at the all the great names who have played for Spurs like Hoddle, Ardiles, Waddle, and Gazza and I think if Robbie keeps performing then people will talk about him in the same terms.

"I've been very impressed by his development in the past couple of years.

"He's added consistency to his game now and I think he's realised that he doesn't always have to try and make everything look good and flashy."

Waddle was full of praise for the 27-year-old, stating that he has watched the player develop over the last couple of seasons.

The former Newcastle and England great - also a Spurslegend in his own right - thinks that Keane is now learning to be more than just a prolific goal scorer.

"He's just learning now to hold onto the ball better, lay it off, and it's made him a better all-round player," he said of the club's vice-skipper "He's also proved he can lead the team as well when he's been given the armband."

Keane is expected to lead out Spurs at White Heart Lane tonight against Dutch league leaders PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.