Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has declared that consistency will be key for his side if they hope to claim the La Liga title this term.

Real have claimed the La Liga title just once in the previous seven seasons, while they missed out on the Spanish crown by just one point last season  as Barcelona claimed the title honours.

Real are currently top of the La Liga standings and remain unbeaten this term despite a run of three consecutive draws in all competitions and Bale believes his side have what it takes to go all the way in 2016-17.

‘We need to be more consistent. We had a very good end of the season last year, but we need to be better at the start and in the middle,’ he told Sport. 

‘Ultimately, the most consistent team wins the league. We came very close last year – not close enough, but we’re going to work harder as a team together. Hopefully, at the end of the season, we’re lifting that trophy,’ he added.

Bale endured criticism from his own supporters for large spells of his second season at Real but has won back the supporters following a return to his best form.

‘In a way, I’m quite glad that happened because it made me a stronger person, a stronger player,’ Bale said. ‘You learn more from when things are not going well than if you were just a winner. I’ve really benefited from it,’ he concluded.

Real are next in action when they welcome Eibar to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The action gets underway at 16:15.