Ange Postecoglou described Timo Werner’s performance as “unacceptable” and not “close to the level” required in Tottenham’s Europa League draw with Rangers.
Werner was replaced by Dejan Kulusevski at half-time in the Europa League clash at Ibrox Stadium, who equalized with 15 minutes remaining.
Rangers deservedly took the lead early in the second half through Hamza Igamane’s strike and Tottenham started 18-year-old Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back before playing another teenager in Lucas Bergvall for an hour.
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Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge delves into the tricky game between Rangers and Tottenham.
Postecoglou’s side are without a win in their last five matches and the former Celtic manager was furious with Werner’s display.
“He didn’t play at the level he should,” said Postecoglou. “When you have an 18-year-old (playing) it’s not acceptable for me and I told Timo that. He’s a German captain.
“At the moment we’re in, it’s not like we have a lot of options. I need everyone to at least go out there and try to give their best. His performance in the first half was not acceptable.”
Tottenham’s Timo Werner saves the ball from Rangers’ James Tavernier
When asked how Werner took off the dress, Postecoglou added: performs poorly.
“We need them to play their part, especially the older guys. When I ask the younger guys to do a huge job, I expect the level of performance from some of the older guys and that wasn’t the case today.”
Werner joined Spurs on loan from RB Leipzig in January and has since extended his stay until the end of the season, making 19 appearances and scoring once.
Kulusevsky. Everyone needs to do more
Dejan Kulusevski, left, celebrates with Pape Matar Sar for the equaliser
Tottenham scorer Dejan Kulusevski In a conversation with TNT Sports.
“Rangers played very well, we struggled a bit. We didn’t play well enough to win the game. It’s a beautiful stadium, the fans helped them a lot.
“I wanted to change something, and I did it once, but today it’s not enough. It’s always important to score, but we have to start winning games now. It’s time to win on Sunday.
“Everybody needs to do a little bit more than we’re doing now.”
Boyd: Were the Spurs trying?
Sky Sports’ Chris Boyd:
“Philip Clement will be the happier of the two managers. The financial gulf between the two teams is absolutely huge. That doesn’t mean you can’t go and get a result and Rangers showed that tonight.
“It took a great finish from Kulusevski when he came on for Tottenham to equalise, but Rangers played really well, had some great individual performances in the middle of the pitch, Jeften and Ridvan Yilmaz.
Dejan Kulusevski equalizes for Tottenham against Rangers at Ibrox.
“Tottenham, at certain stages of that match, you were just thinking to yourself. Because things were so slow, they were even going to lock out the Rangers players.
“I understand that they have a lot of injuries, but it should give others a chance to show that they are good enough to be at the club and forget about the injured ones.
“There are a lot of top, talented players missing from that Tottenham team, but I didn’t think they would do enough to win the game tonight.”
