HeraldScotland

They sit 11th in the English Premier League table, winning just seven of their opening 19 league fixtures.

Postecoglou left Celtic to take the managerial role at Spurs on June 6, 2023, penning a four-year contract.

At Celtic, the 59-year-old won successive Scottish Premiership titles during his two seasons in charge.

But there's now pressure on Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to make a decision on the Greek-Aussie's future in north London.

During his post-match press conference, Postecoglou insisted that he will “keep going”.

“We’re asking a lot of a small core group of players,’ he explained.

“The whole group probably needs a couple of days to get away and recover.

“It has been really intense for a core group of players. It will do them good to go away with their families to recover with their families mentally as much as physically.

“I will keep going and look for help to get these players to perform at their best.”

The Glasgow club ensured there was no triumphant return to Scotland for former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou in their Europa League league phase match.

The morale-boosting point against the Premier League giants – secured thanks to a second-half Hamza Igamane goal - will raise their confidence levels no end ahead of their Premier Sports Cup final meeting with their city rivals at Hampden on Sunday.

A first win by a Scottish club over top flight English opponents in 18 years may have cruelly eluded them – but Rangers increased their chances of qualifying automatically for the knockout rounds of the competition all the same.

Here are five talking points from a memorable night.

Disappointing Spurs

Postecoglou described the catalogue of injuries and suspensions which he has had to deal with this season as the worst he has experienced in his 25 coaching career at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday – and his team selection highlighted the problems he has had.

He made no fewer than five changes to the side which lost 4-3 to Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.

Rodrigo Bentancur, the Uruguayan internationalist whose ban for using a racial slur only applies to domestic fixtures, came into the midfield and James Maddison and Timo Werner also got the nod as Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke dropped to the bench,

But it was at the back, where first choice centre halves Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were both missing, that Postecoglou’s plight was most obvious. Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin came in to the heart of his rearguard.

Gray - the son of Andy, grandson of Frank and great-nephew of Eddie, a trio of former Scotland internationalists – might have cost Spurs a cool £40m during the summer. But the ex-Leeds United kid is still just 18 and is more of a central midfielder or a full-back.

Spurs looked very much like a side which had won just one of their previous seven games. They by no means, despite having Son Heung-min, Werner and Maddison on the park, troubled their hosts. Quite the opposite in fact. It was clear to see why they have been toiling in the English top flight. They were lucky to avoid defeat.

Rangers spirit

Philippe Clement mixed things up for this match too.

Danilo and Ianis Hagi, who have been two of his best performers in recent weeks, were unavailable as they were not included in the European squad. Leon Balogun and Connor Barron also dropped out as Ridvan Yilmaz, Robin Propper, Mohamed Diomande and Nadim Bajrami came in.

Yilmaz, who had not started since the Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden way back in August, somewhat unusually slotted in on the left wing as Jefte remained at left back. Bajrami, too, moved inside and performed the playmaker role. But the set-up worked well.

The atmosphere inside the ground was electric as the two teams emerged from the tunnel – and when the visitors peeled away to the corner of the pitch and formed a Celtic-style huddle before kick-off the decibel levels got cranked up a notch or two.

Fraser Forster, the former Celtic player who inflicted so much misery on Rangers during his various spells in Scotland, was booed by the home supporters every time he took a touch. But the 6ft 7in goalkeeper did not have a huge amount to do in the opening 45 minutes.

He pushed a Bajrami attempt wide and dealt with two on target efforts from Vaclav Cerny. He would have been beaten if Bajrami or James Tavernier had been able to get on the end of a square ball which Jefte whipped across the six yard box. Fortunately for him, neither man could make contact.

But he could do nothing to keep an Igamane shot out of his net after the Moroccan striker had been supplied by Tavernier early in the second half. Nobody could begrudge Rangers their lead. They had been the better side.

Ange under pressure

Postecoglou removed Werner and put on Kulusevski at the start of the second half. But if anything his men were worse after the change. They were fortunate to only concede once as their hosts laid siege to their goal.

However, the substitute levelled with 15 minutes of regulation time remaining to ultimately salvage a draw for the visitors which their display scarcely merited.

The Greek-Australian enjoyed more successes than failures against Rangers during his time in Scotland. But his expensively-assembled team were on the back foot for long periods this evening. The pressure is well and truly on him now.

He had chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” aimed in his direction by the home supporters in the 48,064-strong crowd after Igamane struck. He will have to oversee a distinct upturn in form to avoid that fate in the weeks ahead.

Souttar setback

Rangers contained the Spurs front three pretty effectively in the opening half an hour and Jack Butland was never seriously tested in goal. But they suffered a serious blow when centre half John Souttar sank to the turf and then hobbled off injured after failing to respond to treatment.

Balogun, the Nigerian internationalist who is no stranger to big European nights, came on and acquitted himself well. But if Souttar is out of the Premier Sports Cup final it will seriously reduce the defending champions’ chances of retaining their trophy. The Scotland internationalist has been immense for them this term.

Euro progress

With Manchester United away and Union St Gilloise to come in January, there is still a lot of football to be played before Rangers can clinch a place in the next stage of the competition. But if they perform as well as this in their next two outings then they will go through.

Only a brilliant Forster save from a Cyriel Dessers shot with five minutes of regulation time denied them victory.

Postecoglou had walked over to the away section at the conclusion of the match where he was met with a chorus of boos from the travelling support.

However, Postecoglou downplayed the exchange with fans after the match as he opened up on the "pretty direct feedback".

"I wasn't having a word," he told Amazon Prime Sport. "They are pretty disappointed and rightly so.

"I got some pretty direct feedback as to how we are going, and that's fair enough."

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The Australian coach appeared to exchange words with a number of supporters before pointing at the Spurs badge on his jacket.

As supporters continued to vent their frustrations, Postecoglou then quickly applauded fans before walking back across the pitch.

The loss leaves Tottenham in 10th place in the Premier League with six wins, two draws and six losses in their 14 outings so far.

Postecoglou later added in his post-match press conference: "They are disappointed, rightly so. They gave me some direct feedback which I guess is taken on board."

On what was said, he stated: "Yeah probably not for here mate."

He continued: "I've got no issue with it. I didn't like what was being said because I'm a human being but you've got to cop it.

"I've been around long enough to know that if things don't go well, you've got to understand the frustration and disappointment.

"They're right disappointed tonight because again we've let a game of football get away from us.

"That's ok, I'm ok with all of that."

It halted the momentum Postecoglou’s side had built in midweek with a fine Carabao Cup triumph over Manchester City, but they were transformed in the second half and blew away their midlands rivals.

Captain Son Heung-min set up Brennan Johnson for his seventh goal of the season in the 49th minute before Solanke hit a quick-fire double during the final quarter of an hour after a six-match run without a goal.

James Maddison, a late replacement for substitute Richarlison, capped a great afternoon for Spurs with a stoppage-time free-kick as the hosts moved up to seventh, but the day belonged to Solanke as his recent excellent tireless displays finally brought reward in front of goal.

Postecoglou said: “I just think the enormous effort he put in on Wednesday night to help us win a game of football, not just physically but mentally, and his capacity to help the team in every way he can… To back that up today with such a massive effort again against a pretty difficult team to play against, it’s just unbelievable.

“Yeah, the goals are great and of course as a striker I am sure he loves the fact he can score a couple of goals, but even if he didn’t, I can’t speak highly enough of what he is contributing to our team at the moment.

“And long may it continue because with him playing that way, it just makes us a better team.”

It was not all good news for Tottenham, who had to bring off Cristian Romero and Richarlison, having also lost Micky van de Ven to a hamstring injury in midweek.

Romero limped off in the 61st minute with a right-foot issue and Richarlison appeared to suffer a muscle problem when he cut back for Solanke to score in the 79th minute.

“Richy obviously felt something in the action of setting the goal up in his hamstring, so we’ll see,” Postecoglou said.

“I don’t have any further information (on Romero) but he’s a pretty tough cookie and for him to come off, it must be sore.

“It’s not ideal but hopefully both are not serious.”

The impressive result was achieved despite Postecoglou taking Son off in the 56th minute, with the Tottenham captain seemingly frustrated at the decision.

However, Postecoglou insisted it was always the plan after the forward had missed six of Spurs’ previous seven matches with a hamstring problem.

“He’s had an injury, he came back and last time it was around the 60-minute mark when he got fatigued so he was never going to play more than 45 to 60 irrespective of the way the game was going,” Postecoglou said.

“The great thing was he made a pretty important contribution before that with a great ball in for our first goal.”

Villa had won four of their previous six league matches but defeat in north London made it back-to-back losses and a bad week for Unai Emery’s men after they also exited the Carabao Cup following Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win at Villa Park on Wednesday night.

“We compete and we were being consistent,” Emery said.

“Of course the first half was much better than the second half and the team were aware how we can be competitive, close to win, close to get more chances to be in top seven positions in Premier League.

“And we are accepting the result because in the second half when they score two goals and take advantage on the field, it is a team in transition, very good and we were making some mistakes.”

James Maddison scored Spurs’ fourth goal from a late free-kick (John Walton/PA) Richarlison lies in pain after picking up an injury (John Walton/PA) Postecoglou said it was always the plan for captain Son Heung-min (left) to come off in the second half (John Walton/PA) Sunday’s defeat was the second in a week for Unai Emery’s Villa (John Walton/PA)

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But, bullish Postecoglou was unshaken in a Sky Sports interview as he vowed to win something at Spurs this season despite falling to Arsenal.

In a live interview, Postecoglou was asked: "You said at the start of the season, the first campaign was really about setting principles and getting your message across, the second campaign you normally win.

"Are you seeing enough in this side that this season you do think they will be a side that can win?

"I'm talking silverware, competing right at the top..."

The manager - who won a treble at Celtic in his second season - bit back at the questioning as he was interrupted quickly after beginning to respond.

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In a sharp reply, Postecoglou said: "Yeah, absolutely. If I can answer the question...or are you going to keep asking it?"

He then continued: "Absolutely. I'll correct what I said, I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing has changed."

Further pressed on the matter of whether he believes his current crop of Spurs players can win a trophy this season, Postecoglou added: "Well, I just sort of said it now. I don't say things I don't believe in."

Meanwhile, Postecoglou will be back in Glasgow this year when Spurs take on Rangers in the Europa League.

The former Celtic boss will head to Ibrox on December 12 in the revamped league phase of the competition.

On the trip back to Scotland, and Ibrox, Postecoglou previously joked: "Exciting. It's good to be a part of. Some good games. I am sure I will get a warm reception at Ibrox and they'll look forward to seeing me."

For years, Archie has been on the radar of the Scottish FA, yet he has progressed through the English youth system and is already making waves with the under-21 team.

There were hopes that manager Steve Clarke might fast-track the 18-year-old into the senior squad as he strives to freshen things up.

However, Gray believes that under Postecoglou’s guidance at Spurs, Archie is poised to thrive, even though it seems increasingly likely that the English national team will reap the rewards of his talent rather than following in his family footsteps.

"I doubt it now, to be honest," his uncle Eddie said about the chances of the Spurs starlet doing a Scotland U-turn.

"He's captained England school boys and he's in their under-21s already. He's still only 18.

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"So, it'll be difficult. We just need to wait and see. When you go to school in England and play in their youth system, it makes it more likely I suppose.

"Archie has grown up watching all the English boys playing and then playing with a lot of English boys in the youth teams. It's the same with his brother, Harry. He'll be a good player as well.

“We were down in London, after Leeds played on the Friday night. We went down on Saturday morning and saw Archie and he's very excited. He's got a lot of talent. He's only young, still only 18, so it's a big, big move. But I don't think it will bother him. He's a level-headed boy. And he's got confidence in his abilities.

"He's going to be working under a terrific manager. He likes the manager, he loves the manager. There were a few teams after him, but I think meeting the manager and how he conducted himself swung it for Archie. I think he'll help Archie and I think he'll do very well at Spurs.”

Clarke's position in the Hampden Park hot seat has come under intense scrutiny after another abject showing at the European Championships this summer.

Thursday's 3-2 UEFA Nations League defeat to Poland continued a shocking run of just one victory from their past 13 matches. But the Leeds United hero believes Clarke is doing well considering the tools he has at his disposal.

"Look, it was a bit of a let down at the Euros, but they did well to get there," Gray explained.

"Steve’s been getting a bit of criticism but you have to look at the entire scene.

"In the days when Billy (Bremner) and myself played, you had three, four, five Scottish boys at all the top clubs in England. You also had the likes of Rangers and Celtic doing well at the top level in Europe. It’s tough for Steve as he has done well with the squad he’s got.

“I know a lot of work has gone into the academies and so on and you hope eventually that might help get us producing players for the future. But at the moment Steve has to work with what he’s got."

For some observers of the English game, the Greek-Australian, who attained iconic status during the two years that he spent in Scotland, will be doing well simply to survive until May.

Postecoglou made an immediate impact and then some after rocking up in North London in a blaze of publicity last summer. He became the first man ever to pick up the Manager of the Month awards in August, September and October. His entertaining pre and post-match press conferences became viral sensations on social media outlets.

Thereafter, things did not go entirely according to plan. A run of four successive losses in April and May saw Spurs slide down the table. They eventually finished fifth and missed out on a Champions League spot by two points. The occupant of the dugout grew increasingly agitated as time wore on and his interviews became more frosty than frivolous.

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Then there was the penultimate league game against title chasing Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Postecoglou did not hide his unhappiness that many members of the home support wanted their heroes to lose to the visitors so that their despised city rivals Arsenal could not land the English title. He was caught on camera arguing with a fan during the 2-0 reverse.

He also suggested that even staff and officials at the club may have held a similar view. "The foundations are really fragile," he said. "The last 48 hours have shown me that. It's inside the club, outside the club. Outside, inside, everywhere. It's been an interesting exercise. It's just my observations, mate."

None of which exactly suggested that everything was sweetness and light behind the scenes.

Postecoglou’s immediate predecessors Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, a celebrated trio with considerably more experience of the European game than he has, failed to last two full seasons. Can he outlive them? Can he make Spurs a force in the English and European game in the months ahead?

Alan Hutton, the former Rangers, Aston Villa and Scotland right back who was a member of the last Spurs team to lift a trophy, the League Cup way back in 2008, is a huge admirer of the charismatic ex-Celtic manager. He firmly believes that he can build on what he has achieved to date and enjoy a memorable term.

“I love listening to him, I must admit,” said Hutton. “I really enjoy his interviews and everything that he does. Sure, the way he looks at football is very gung-ho – full-backs up and in and playing with No 10s. But it is brilliant to watch.

“Spurs has always been the same. It was exactly the same as it was when I was there. They want to see good football and they need to win something. The last trophy they won was 16 years ago. That is always going to be there.

“The remit for him moving forward is top four and a trophy, it has to be. It will be interesting how it moves forward. The core of the team is very strong. They should be competing.

“But it is, and I have said this for a number of years now, about trying to get it over the line. Of course, he is going to be under pressure because that is what Daniel Levy [the Spurs chairman) wants, he wants to be winning trophies. It will be an interesting season, but I think he can do well.”

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Hutton, who has moved in to television punditry since retiring from playing and can now be seen and heard giving his expert opinion on football matters on Premier Sports, argues that he actually overachieved last season because England captain Harry Kane was not adequately replaced after his €100m transfer to German behemoths Bayern Munich.

He is hopeful the £65m capture of Dominic Solanke, the Bournemouth striker who scored 21 goals for the Vitality Stadium club last season, will be a game changer for Spurs and Postecoglou.

“I think Daniel Levy had to spend the money he needed to bring in a striker and really help him out,” he said. “That is what they have been searching for, that is the difference for me between where they finished last season and possibly breaking into the top four.

“Harry Kane, who guaranteed 20 to 25 goals a season, left. You are taking that out of the side. Richarlison went in there and for me it has not quite worked. Son [Heung-min] went in there, but I prefer him on the left.

“Solanke had an excellent season with Bournemouth, but in my opinion will get more opportunities to score at Spurs. He should get good numbers. He is probably the missing link. They needed to spend big money to get that guy in. Now they have done that I think they could challenge for the top four.”

Bringing in midfielders Lucas Bergvall from Djurgarden and Archie Gray from Leeds United and wingers Wilson Odobert from Burnley and Yang Min-hyuk from Gangwon for an outlay of over £50m suggest that he and his paymasters have one eye on the future. They are all highly-promising youngsters.

Hutton, who spent three years at Spurs after being sold for a then record £9m fee by Rangers in 2008, has no concerns about Postecoglou’s attacking style of football, which was branded Angeball when he was at Celtic, working in the Premier League. However, he admits that he would like to see him alter his tactics at certain moments.

“I do think they can be successful playing the way he wants them to if he has right components constantly,” he said.

“They do play with their full-backs up with their No 10s – which I could never have done in my life by the way. You are relying a lot on your two centre backs, [Micky] van de ven and [Cristian] Romero, being fit because they are going to be put under pressure quite a lot within games.

“Sometimes I do think to myself that you need a Plan B. We watched Ange up here and he very rarely changed. Down there he has very rarely changed no matter who they are playing.

“When you get to those final big moments, when you are in a final or are chasing top four, do you have a Plan B? Do you have moments when you say, ‘Well, we want to attack, but we are playing Man City so we can’t be as open as this’. I think there is probably a happy medium there. But he will know better than me.”

Hutton got to know Postecoglou during his time in Scotland and reveals that he warmed to the former Australia and Yokohama F Marinos manager greatly whenever he had any interactions with him despite his frustration at the domestic success which Celtic were enjoying at the time.

“As Ally [McCoist] once said, I would have driven him to the airport when he was going!” he said. “But I genuinely liked the guy. Honestly, he was such a lovely guy. I worked with him a couple of times with Premier Sports.

“Before the League Cup final a couple of seasons ago, he came out with his team he was obviously concentrating on his team. But he came straight over to me and said, ‘Alan, how are you doing? Nice to meet you’. By the way, I had never spoken to him before this. I thought, ‘Alright!’ The Rangers team just walked by me and never said anything.

“I started speaking to him about Alistair Johnston, who had just come to the club to replace Josip Juranovic. I said to him, ‘What is he like?’ He said, ‘Alan, he’s just like you. He likes to get up and down, he’s aggressive’. I thought, ‘How on earth does this guy know me?’.

“He took that time out of his day, which was such a big occasion, to come over and talk to me at that moment. I thought, ‘I love this guy, but I should really hate him at this moment in time’. When he left and joined Tottenham I thought, ‘It’s alright, I can like him now!’.”

There will be huge affection for Ange Postecoglou at Spurs if he can help them fulfil their vast potential this season and Alan Hutton is certain that the arrival of Dominic Solanke heralds the start of an exciting chapter in the history of the London club.

Johnson has four goals and seven assists in 29 appearances for Tottenham this season.