I’LL LIGHT UP WORLD CUP

Danish destroyer Eriksen set for centre stage in Russia

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GREAT Dane Christian Eriksen wants to take the World Cup by storm and establish himself as one of the best footballers on the planet.

Tottenham’s midfield wizard scored a stunning hat-trick on Tuesday night to shatter the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of making it to Russia next summer. His match-winning role in Denmark’s crushing 5-1 win confirmed he’s set to be a major player at the finals. Eriksen knows that any repeat performance will put him among the elite, with boss Age Hareide insisting he’s already in the top 10. “If I take this game to the tournament, then yes, I’ll definitely light up the World Cup,” said Eriksen. “The last tournament eight years ago did pass me by so I badly want to be there.” Eriksen would love to carry on where he left off in Saturday’s north London derby against Arsenal. But right now he’s basking in a result that he claims eclipses Spurs’ recent Champions League win over the European champions Real Madrid.

Tempted

And he credits Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who sent him a congratulatory text within minutes of the final whistle, with putting him on the road to glory. “My career has been going upwards,” he said. “So to score a hat-trick in a World Cup play-off means a lot. “The success we have had at Spurs over the last few seasons has helped me a lot.” Team-mate and former Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner believes if Eriksen can maintain his current form, he deserves to be compared to icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But he hopes he has an off-day at the Emirates. Asked if he was tempted to give him a kick in the dressing room to give his old club a helping hand, Bendtner said: “No, no, no. He is a friend. Obviously, I want him to do well – but not on Saturday. “Arsenal are my team and I hope they are going to win. I am always going to be an Arsenal fan, always. Christian is a top, top player with an eye for goal and an eye for assists. “He is definitely up there with some of the best players in the world, but can you compare him with Messi or Neymar? One has won five Ballon D’Or and the other could win five before he retires. “Christian has done amazingly this year and if he keeps on going the same way, then you can start comparing him with the greatest.”