Former Leeds United star Archie Gray was in Europa League action for Tottenham Hotspur away at Galatasaray.
Being a boyhood Leeds fan, Gray will understand the rivalry between his old club and Spurs’ opponents, making it an even bigger night than it already was for him.
Gray was making just his sixth start for Spurs since joining from Leeds in the summer, four of which have come in the Europa League, with the other two in the Carabao Cup.
Spurs had travelled to Turkey with a 100 per cent record in Europe this season but a much changed XI fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat, despite goals from Will Lankshear and Dominic Solanke.
Gray has been linked with a loan move to Sevilla in January but with so many games to come in the Europa League, it is difficult to see Spurs sanctioning an exit, considering how important he has become in this competition.
Spurs media react to Gray display vs Galatasaray
Gray has impressed in the Europa League this season and despite falling to their first loss, seemingly enjoyed another good night on a personal level.
The 18-year-old was heavily involved in Spurs’ equalising goal in the first half as his perfect cross-field pass over the top of Galatasaray’s defence found Brennan Johnson inside the area, who squared for Lankshear to tap home.
Despite Gray being keen to play midfield, he was in yet another new position for Spurs in Turkey, this time starting on the left of a makeshift back four.
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There were some understandable struggles that came as a result of playing out of position, though Football.London wanted to focus on his ‘fantastic’ ball for Johnson in their post-match player ratings.
They wrote: “Archie Gray – Played a fantastic ball into the path of Johnson for Lankshear’s leveller. Worked hard down the left but struggled to get up the pitch as he would have wanted. 6.”
National English press give Gray ‘credit’
With a total of 28 shots to five, Galatasaray were deserved winners on the night, but Spurs fought hard with both Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven out injured, and other key players on the bench.
The Daily Express also wrote a post-match player ratings piece on Spurs’ side, with Gray again named as one of the stand-outs.
It is said Gray was one of the only members of the Spurs side to finish the game with ‘credit’, despite playing in an unnatural position.