'It wasn't criticism' - Ange Postecoglou defends Timo Werner rant after Tottenham boss slammed 'unacceptable' performance

The Australian slated his player after Spurs' 1-1 draw at Ibrox, claiming that the German forward's performance was "unacceptable" and that he "wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should." Asked again about those post-match comments, Postecoglou has insisted that he was perfectly entitled to call out Werner's disappointing Europa League display. In the view of Spurs' boss, there is a big difference between assessing a player's performance and offering plain negativity.

Postecoglou said at a press conference: "It wasn’t criticism. It was assessment. I think criticism is saying something that is not really helpful, it’s just almost used as an excuse. Assessment is trying to give people feedback to make them better and opportunity to improve and give feedback to the whole group about the whole situation we’re in and what is required." He added: "When people are in a fight and a battle do you think they go around asking: ‘How are you feeling today? Are you feeling up for this?’ You’ve got no choice, mate. You’ve got to be up for it. Like I said, I get that everything is about Timo but Timo is not where our season is at. It’s not about Timo. It’s about who we are in the situation we’re in right now."

Werner's recent performances have clearly been a major frustration for Postecoglou, who told reporters after the dressing down that "we need everybody including him to be contributing." That comment reflects the wider malaise inflicting Spurs; the team have won just one of their last eight games, an unacceptable string of results for a club chasing a high Premier League finish and a successful European campaign.

Tottenham were lucky to escape Glasgow with a point last night, and Postecoglou will be hoping his fierce reaction in the media will spark some life into his group of under-performing players. They've got a quick turnaround before their next fixture, a Premier League trip to relegation strugglers Southampton on Sunday night.