Gareth Bale admits it feels good to feel 'loved and appreciated' after helping Spurs to Europa League win

After quiet game against Austrian side LASK, Welshman says he is still building-up match fitness after missing pre-season

Gareth Bale, right, made his fist start since returning to Tottenham Hotspur as they ran out 3-0 winners against LASK in the Europa League on Thursday, October 22. PA

Lucas Moura scores Spurs' first goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Reuters

Tottenham attacker Gareth Bale outjumps LASK's Marvin Potzmann. AFP

Spurs striker Son Heung-min, left, celebrates with teammate Carlos Vinicius after scoring their third goal. EPA

Gareth Bale shakes hands with Spurs manager Jose Mourinho after being substituted. EPA

LASK defender Andres Andrade Cedeno after scoring an own goal. AFP

Tottenham's Son Heung-min scores his side's third goal. PA

Tottenham's Gareth Bale. AFP

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho. Reuters

Gareth Bale under pressure from Andres Andrade of LASK. Getty

Lucas Moura opens the scoring for Spurs. EPA

Spurs attacker Son Heung-min. EPA

Son Heung-min scores for Spurs. EPA

Lucas Moura celebrates his goal for Spurs. Reuters

Gareth Bale said it felt good to be "loved and appreciated" after helping Tottenham to a 3-0 win over LASK of Austria in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Welsh international started his first match since his return from Real Madrid and played for an hour before Jose Mourinho gave him a break.

Bale had come on as a substitute last Sunday with Tottenham 3-0 up against West Ham before his team collapsed to give up a 3-3 draw.

"It is amazing to be back," Bale said after the match. "It is a big reason why I play well and why I came back. You want to be loved and appreciated. I will give everything for this shirt."

However, he admitted it will take time to find his feet.

"I am a bit stiff. It is like a mini pre-season for me and I am trying to get minutes into the legs," he said.

Despite Bale starting, it was on-loan Carlos Vinicius who made an impressive debut in the Group J opener.

Vinicius started in place of the resting Harry Kane and he made goals in either half for Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min, while he would have also netted himself had Andres Andrade not scored an own goal from a low Bale cross.

Manager Jose Mourinho said the 25-year-old Vinicius was still trying to settle into life in England and that Spurs had yet to see the best of him.

"He played well but he can do better. It's a bit of a shame still, it's not easy not to speak English so the adaption to the group in spite of having amazing guys that try to make him feel well, isn't easy," Mourinho said.

"He's not selfish and is a good target man. He can play with Kane when his good period arrives and won't just be the guy to cover him. I am very happy."

Mourinho's side return to action in the Premier League on Monday with a trip to Burnley.