Tottenham will beat Milan in Champions League - Gary Mabbutt

The former FA Cup-winning skipper regularly tours the country doing shows at theatres where he speaks about his memories from more than 40 years with the north London giants.

Gary Mabbutt lifts the FA Cup in 1991, one of the memories that will be talked about in Radlett. Picture: DAVID GILES/PA (Image: David Giles/PA)

The next one will be at the Radlett Centre on March 21 and by then, he expects to be able to talk about another famous European night.

Spurs trail 1-0 following the first leg meeting in Italy and despite coming into the game on Wednesday on the back of two poor performances and results, he sees only a victory for the Lilywhites.

"After the FA Cup defeat to Sheffield and then the defeat to Wolves, I think we're clearly saving ourselves for the Champions League this season," he said.

"No, it's a big game on Wednesday but we're going to be thoroughly prepared.

"Going over to Milan we got a fantastic result where I thought [Oliver Skipp] and [Pepe] Sarr were outstanding, the amount of work they put in to allow us to come back with a one-goal deficit. 

"Milan lost at the weekend to Fiorentina and I think if we get at them early, put them under pressure, get them on the back foot, I think we will crack them and I feel we will get the two goals we need to go through to the last eight. 

"And once you’re in the quarter-finals, who knows what could happen? 

"The last time we got there, everyone was telling me about Real Madrid and Barcelona and Manchester City and Ajax. 

"But we beat Man City and Ajax and we got through to the final. 

"That was obviously an incredible occasion and that's what we're aiming for this season."

And when it comes to memorable European occasions, he points to the many past successes, both at the old and new White Hart Lane.

He said: "I don't know why but European nights always seem to be extra-special nights for the players and the fans. 

We wear the all-white kit and I remember when we won the UEFA Cup in 1984. That was an amazing night at White Hart Lane and one of the best memories I've had. 

"From the first game over in Anderlecht, where we drew, and then going to penalties with the tension and the excitement and obviously the outcome. 

"Yes, those nights are very, very special and of course now at the new stadium, we have some fantastic nights, like when we played Man City. 

"Everyone is looking forward to this game and I feel that we've got a squad that's more than capable of going a long way in the competition." 

The 1984 UEFA Cup is almost bound to get a mention at the night in Radlett and he is looking forward to once again mixing with a big number of Spurs fans.

Mabbutt said: "It's going to be a fantastic event. I do a lot of these around the country for the club and obviously and going along to meet the supporters, they're fantastic. 

"Before you even arrive, you know full well that everybody is going to be a big Spurs fan and they have the same love as you have and you just get to share the evening.  

"I think at the start there's a champagne reception for the VIP's coming along and then the evening is split into two halves. 

"The first half is going to be where I am interviewed [by Paul Coyte] about my career and then at half-time people can bring along photos or shirts to be signed. 

"The second half is going to be Q&A from the audience. 

"I've been quite fortunate that I've been involved in the game for a long time. I’m the longest serving employee at Spurs, I've been there for over 40 years now so there's a lot of stories from my whole playing days. 

"I have some fantastic memories from UEFA cups and obviously the FA Cup and of course I played with some of the best players in the game. 

"I've been very fortunate to have played for Spurs for 16 years and to have been their captain for 11 years was an absolute privilege. 

"And it is great to go along to these events and share those wonderful memories."

And if the skipper had his way, the event could go on well into the small hours.

He said: "Sometimes it's quite frustrating because you could sit there and talk for hours, there are just so many different stories and so many different people I was involved with, whether it was players I played alongside or the managers or the events we went through. 

"And of course, I've been a type one diabetic for the last 43 years, so I've had a lot of people come along to these events who are themselves diabetics and it's great just to share how things have been for each other. 

"I'm in Hertfordshire myself so Radlett is quite close to my community and I know it is a massive Spurs area as well. 

"So, yes, I’m very much looking forward to the event and it's going to be a nice evening."

The event takes place at the Radlett Centre on Tuesday, March 21, starting at 7.30pm.

For full details and how to book, click here.