December 12th 2024.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou shared his thoughts after the team's intense Europa League match against Rangers ended in a 1-1 draw. The Premier League and Scottish Premiership sides battled it out at Ibrox on Thursday night, with Dejan Kulusevski's goal for Tottenham cancelling out Hamza Igamane's opener for Rangers in the second half.
Despite both teams having opportunities to score more goals, the draw was a satisfactory outcome for both as they aim for automatic qualification to the Europa League knockout stages. Currently, Rangers hold the final automatic spot in eighth place, ahead of Tottenham on goal difference.
Postecoglou was content with the point earned by his side, but he was not happy with the performance of Timo Werner, who was substituted at half-time. The Tottenham boss described Werner's display as "unacceptable" and emphasized that when there are young players on the team, it is crucial for the senior players to step up and give their best. He also mentioned that he expects a certain level of performance from the experienced players, which was lacking in this match.
Reflecting on the overall match, Postecoglou acknowledged that it was a tough game, as anticipated, especially with the electric atmosphere in the stadium. He felt that the first half was evenly matched, but Rangers' early goal in the second half raised the energy levels and made it difficult for Tottenham to bounce back. However, he was pleased with how his team responded and made a comeback with the help of the substitutes. He also praised goalkeeper Fraser Forster for his crucial save at the end.
In terms of their European campaign, Postecoglou considered the point earned to be important. However, Tottenham's form has been inconsistent in recent games, having not won in four matches since their dominant 4-0 victory over Manchester City. As they prepare to face Southampton on Sunday, who are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table, Tottenham will need to improve their performance.
On the other hand, Rangers will look to continue their impressive form and dynamic style of play as they face Celtic in the League Cup final. Rangers manager Philippe Clement expressed his pride in the team's performance and the way they played football. He also highlighted the progress made by the players in a short period of time and was disappointed that they didn't secure all three points in this match. However, he remains optimistic about the team's future and their potential for success.
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