Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur manager, severely criticized Timo Werner following his side’s disappointing 1-1 Europa League draw with Rangers at Ibrox.
The Australian boss warned that he needs more from his senior players, particularly those with significant international experience.
Postecoglou substituted the German international at halftime, replacing him with Dejan Kulusevski. Kulusevski subsequently scored the equalizer, salvaging a point for Spurs.
Despite the late goal, Postecoglou expressed his dissatisfaction with Werner’s performance.
“We weren’t at our best, that’s for sure,” he acknowledged. “But we’re in a phase where we’re grinding through. With a depleted squad, some players need to step up consistently. In that context, I believe the draw was a decent outcome.”
Addressing Werner’s substitution, Postecoglou stated, “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should. This isn’t acceptable for a player of his caliber – a German international. We don’t have many options. I expect everyone to give their all. His first-half performance was unacceptable.”
When asked about Werner’s response to his criticism, Postecoglou replied, “I don’t know, and frankly, it’s not a major concern. The point is, we need everyone, including him, to contribute. We can’t afford to leave players out due to poor performance with our limited depth. We need them to play their part, especially the senior players, when I’m relying on young players to shoulder significant responsibilities.”
Postecoglou praised the performance of young defender Archie Gray, son of former Scotland international Andy. Gray, playing out of position at center-back, impressed the manager.
“He’s 18, and this is a massive experience for him,” Postecoglou said. “He handled himself exceptionally well. Asking an 18-year-old to play in such a crucial game, in an unfamiliar position, at this level, is a significant ask. It’s outstanding what he’s doing. Lucas [Bergvall] also excelled when he came on. He was initially slated to start but was unwell.”
