Toshack Unimpressed By Premiership's CL Performance

John Toshack has condemned standards in the Premiership following Manchester United's elimination from the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

The former Real Madrid manager, who made his name as a player as a striker with Liverpool alongside Kevin Keegan, believes the performance of the English clubs in the Champions League this season has exposed the Premiership's boast of being 'the best League in the world' as a hollow one.

Toshack told the BBC: "Generally there is a big gap between the standards in Spain and those in England."

"No Premiership side has reached the semi-finals of either the Champions League or UEFA Cup which just continues the trend of recent years."

"Before the Heysel disaster in 1985, English teams won seven European Cups on the trot, in the 18 years since, Manchester United have won it once and, apart from that, nothing."

"Maybe that's an indication the Premiership is not as strong as some people think."

Toshack was working as summariser for Spanish television at Old Trafford. He has previously had two spells in charge at Real Madrid as well as a stint with Real Sociedad.

Although impressed by the performances of Ronaldo and England captain David Beckham, Toshack believes the key difference between Real and United over the two-legs was the goalkeepers.

"For all the Luis Figos, Ronaldos, Beckhams and Giggs, it was the difference between the two keepers which was most marked for me," he said.

"Iker Casillas has been absolutely fantastic for Real and last night made some brilliant saves at just the right time."

"In contrast, Fabien Barthez will look back on the six goals he has conceded and think he should have done better with at least three or four of them."

"That was the big difference because United had their moments in the tie as well."