Redknapp Weighs into Villas-Boas Feud With Gary Neville

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has defended Manchester United legend Gary Neville in light of Chelsea boss' Andre Villas-Boas' recent criticisms of the Sky Sports pundit.

The aforementioned Manchester United hero, who called time on his glittering Old Trafford career midway through last season, was recently lambasted by the Chelsea coach for his amusing and now well-documented critique of David Luiz.

Tottenham boss Redknapp, who welcomes Chelsea to White Hart Lane this evening believes the Manchester United hero is not only entitled to offer an opinion on the Brazilian international, but more pertinently, he is paid to do so.

Neville, who claimed the Chelsea star defended as if he was being "controlled by a ten-year-old", was derided by Andre Villas-Boas.

"I'm nobody to criticise [Neville's] opinion, but when he takes this ridiculous route I have to defend [my player]," The Chelsea manager said of the previously mentioned Sky Sports pundit. "You cannot be a top English defender like [Neville] was, and a top Manchester United defender like he's been [and say this] and I'd say this to his face with most pleasure."

Although the ex-Manchester United captain evidently irked the Chelsea manager, his Tottenham Hotspur counterpart believes the Portuguese tactician is being too sensitive in regards to commentary on his club.

"That is what pundits are paid to do," The Tottenham manager told ESPN. "They come on TV and if they did not have an opinion they would be no good being on there.

"They have to say what they think. You can't have the praise one minute and then not like it when you get a bit of criticism. You've got to take it all or not at all. You can't just take the stuff when they say how good you are and what a wonderful coach you are. You just have to get on with it.

"Gary Neville (former Manchester United footballer turned Sky Sports pundit) gets paid to have an opinion, doesn't he? He's on there, talking about football." The Tottenham boss concluded.

Chelsea travel to Tottenham on Thursday night in a crucial game in the Premier League. Following Manchester United and Manchester City's victories on Wednesday, Redknapp and Villas-Boas will be eager to close the gap at the top of the table.