SPORTbible

James Maddison fired a fresh dig at Roy Keane after scoring the winner for Spurs on his return to action against Manchester United.

Maddison suffered a calf strain in a Europa League win over Hoffenheim on 23 January and has been one of many players missing from Ange Postecoglou's squad.

He was back fit and firing on Sunday though, popping up with the only goal of the game 13 minutes as Spurs climbed to 12th in the Premier League table.

After tapping home from close range after Andre Onana palmed Lucas Bervall's shot into his path, Maddison performed his usual darts celebration but then added a shush gesture.

It came days after former United captain issued a brutal put-down to the former Leicester City man, dismissing his ability to make a difference and questioning his impact when it matters.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: "We saw Maddison at Tamworth, he was taken off. Tamworth are non-league.

"People say Maddison’s the man. When is he going to step up to the plate? He got relegated with Leicester and he’ll get relegated with Spurs.

"Maddison isn’t bad when he’s not at the darts, but let me tell you, if you think he’s going to come back and get Spurs into the top six, you’re in cuckoo land.

"He’s good, he’s a talented player. But if you’re a player in the Spurs dressing room and Maddison’s back in the squad, you wouldn’t be looking and going 'oh Jesus – he’s back today. We’re going to be fine'."

In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Maddison was asked about whether the celebration was directed at anyone in particular.

He told Patrick Davison that there was "a little bit of outside noise this week" and said he hopes "there's a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today!".

Though Maddison did not name Keane, he then confirmed exactly who he was aiming his celebration at with a TikTok video which quickly went viral.

The 28-year-old posted the clip of Keane laying into him, before Ian Wright told Maddison to "you've got to silence this".

Maddison did just that and the video, captioned 'COYS', cut to his goal and celebration to the camera, racking up 100,000 likes and more than 800,000 views.

In a fascinating Sky interview, Maddison spoke about being instructed by Postecoglou to ignore all the media talk but admitted it is easier said than done - particularly when someone like Keane is discussing his performances.

"It's constantly in your face," Maddison stated.

"You can use it but I think gaffer prefers when you're just in our own little bubble and listening to him.

"Sometimes it's difficult, it's constantly in your face these days - social media and WhatsApp with people sending you stuff and you do see it - especially when it's a big high-profile name."

Spurs are back in action on Saturday when they travel to play Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

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Former Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane has labelled one shock Manchester United player as the scariest he's ever played against.

Having led the line for Spurs, England and Bayern Munich, Kane has played against some of the very best footballers in the modern era.

The striker spent over a decade in the Premier League, facing off against defenders like of Virgil van Dijk and Vincent Kompany, but made the move to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2023, where he now plays against Alejandro Grimaldo and Nico Schlotterbeck.

But there's one player that has stood out amongst all others as the most intimidating for Kane during his career, and it may shock you.

Ahead of his move to Bayern Munich nearly two years ago, Kane had also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but a deal never materialised as the Red Devils opted instead for Rasmus Hojlund.

But the Englishman clearly has a lot of respect for his former Premier League rivals as, when playing the ‘word association game with GOAL he named a United star as the scariest player he had faced.

While Raphael Varane was labelled as the quickest centre-back he’d ever faced, it was the Frenchman's former United teammate Harry Maguire that Kane named as his scariest opponent.

Scary maybe wouldn't be the word that many United fans would use to described Maguire, but after producing a heroic last minute winning goal against former club Leicester City in the FA Cup, the defender has reminded fans of his value.

With a wealth of experience playing against him in the Premier League and alongside him with England, Kane perhaps knows how intimidating of a defender Maguire can be better than anyone else in the world.

However, it is worth noting that the Bayern Munich forward did break down in laughter before saying picking Maguire, so it is possible that this is just a joke between the two friends.

The England captain also picked several of his other national teammates for other categories during the word association game, see his full selection of players below:

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly removed three players from their UEFA Europa League squad ahead of the knockout stages.

On Thursday night, Spurs headed to Anfield for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Despite holding a 1-0 lead from the first encounter, the visitors produced a dismal display as Liverpool easily swept them aside under the Anfield lights.

Goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk sealed a massive 4-0 win for Arne Slot's men, setting up a mouth-watering final against Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16.

Less than 24 hours after their thrashing by Liverpool, Spurs have reportedly left three players out of their Europa League sqaud.

Tottenham Hotspur make three changes to Europa League squad

As reported by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, who wrote on social media: "Tottenham include Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso and Djed Spence as part of the Europa League squad.

"Timo Werner, Dragusin and Forster have been left out."

Defender Radu Dragusin is set for an extended spell out after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Elfsborg last week.

Meanwhile, Timo Werner and Fraser Forster have fallen down Ange Postecoglou's pecking order.

January signings Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso were added to the squad alongside Djed Spence, who missed out during the league phase of the competition.

As reported by Football.London, UEFA regulations state that teams are permitted to make three changes to their squad between the league phase and the knockout stages of the Europa League.

However, this does mean that fellow new signing Antonin Kinsky will not be available for selection, with first choice stopper Guglielmo Vicario said to be fit for the round of 16.

Spurs will face either Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, AZ Alkmaar or Midtjylland for a place in the quarter finals of the Europa League.

New Tottenham Hotspur striker Mathys Tel might already be considering a move to another top club shortly after making his debut during the Carabao Cup.

Despite reportedly declining a move earlier in the January transfer window, Tel left Bayern Munich to join Tottenham on loan in a last-minute move finalised on deadline day.

The deal will see Tottenham pay a loan fee of up to €10million (£8.3m) for the 19-year-old, who who will then return to his parent club at the end of the season.

Although Spurs will have the opportunity to make the move permanent by exercising an option to buy in the deal, a new report has claimed that Tel will have the opportunity that he wants to join a different Premier League club in the summer.

Tel was welcomed to English football on Thursday night as he made his debut for Tottenham during the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

The forward came on as a substitue late in the first half, but was unable to do anything to prevent his side losing the match 4-0, knocking them out of the competition.

In the wake of the embarrassing result, a new report from Caught Offside has claimed that the Frenchman will likely once again have the opportunity to join Manchester United when the transfer window reopens in June.

According to respected journalist Christian Falk, United were actively pursuing a deal for Tel during in the winter window but pulled out over a disagreement on paying a loan fee.

But in the summer this won't be an issue, allowing the young talent to join a new club on a permanent deal, and he has his sights set on Old Trafford.

“There were also talks with Manchester United who were interested in Mathys Tel’s signature. Tel was certainly open to the move, but United weren’t prepared to pay the loan fee Bayern Munich were demanding at the time (€5m),” Falk told CaughtOffside

“Whether Tel stays with Bayern beyond the summer or moves on, it’s entirely up to him. If he can make the step to United, he would like to do it. If he sees a chance at Bayern Munich, perhaps he would also stay, but I think it’s hard for him, as he didn’t make it under Vincent Kompany.

“So, I think if he is performing very well, he will stay in the Premier League. If he doesn’t, he has to go back to Bayern and start again.”

Tottenham Hotspur fans have made their feelings clear on Mathys Tel after the new signing made his debut in the Carabao Cup match against Liverpool.

On Thursday night, Ange Postecoglu's promise to deliver a trophy in his second season as Tottenham boss took a major blow as they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup after a 4-1 two leg semi-final loss to Liverpool.

Despite winning the home leg 1-0, Tottenham surrendered their lead after losing 4-0 at Anfield, as they failed to get even one shot on target across the match, despite handing a debut to new striker Tel.

And having watched Tel's first performance in a Tottenham shirt, fans have now taken to social media to make their feelings about their new player known.

After reportedly rejecting joining Spurs earlier in the window, Bayern Munich forward Tel signed a loan deal with the Premier League club on deadline day, keeping him in London until the end of the season.

He made his debut for the London club shortly before half-time of the Carabao Cup game at Anfield, as starting striker Richarlison was forced off the pitch with an injury, and it's safe to say fans aren't impressed.

Reacting to his debut on social media platform X, one fan wrote: "Didn’t even realise Mathys Tel was on the pitch. Such a nothing player."

Another agreed, writing: "Mathys Tel has been awful."

While another added: "Mathys Tel doesn't have enough stamina to press, despite just being subbed on."

And one asked: "All that Mathys Tel hype for this rubbish?"

Tottenham are reported to have paid a loan fee of up to €10million (£8.3m) for the 19-year-old Frenchman, and there is an option to buy included in the deal.

Although Tottenham remain one of the favourites to win the Europa League, many believed that, thanks to their 1-0 lead, their semi-final against Liverpool presented their best chance at silverware this season.

"I guess that Liverpool deserved the victory," said Postecoglou after Thursday's match.

"They were the far better team - we were not able to get a grip of the game.

"We allowed them to get into the game and we were not as aggressive as we needed to be. We didn't get the game started off in the right footing.

"It was very difficult for us to wrestle that control back."

Tottenham fans think ONE player has to leave the club this summer following his performance against Liverpool.

Spurs were thrashed by Liverpool, who ran out 4-0 winners in the second-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash on Thursday.

The Reds booked their spot at Wembley following goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.

Jamie Carragher called out three Spurs players in a stinging assessment of their showing at Anfield.

And fans online reckon Son Heung-min is 'washed' and needs to leave the club at the end of the season.

Som was ineffective against Liverpool as Spurs supporters bemoaned his outing.

One X user wrote: "Heung-Min Son is washed. Legend of the club, will always love him, but this summer it’s time for him to go."

A second said: "It's time to rebuild the team massive clear out in the summer."

A third argued: "Literally the only player who looked like he could score. Hate this narrative. Played every game, visibly knackered and he's running backwards all the time to defend bc Spurs are so terrible. Put him in Liverpool and he'd put up numbers."

Jamie Redknapp slammed Son, too, as he questioned his credentials as Spurs captain.

"The message has to come from the players as well. It was coming wave after wave. That’s where you go from. The players have to take some responsibility," he said on Sky Sports.

"Son, I don’t see him as a captain, I have never seen him lead, what does he bring you when you are struggling?

"Talk about the Spurs culture, I would hate to have that levelled at me, but it is always the stick Tottenham are beat with."

Son has been at Spurs since 2015 and has scored 172 goals for the club.

He has 10 goals across all competitions this campaign as some fans want him gone at the end of the season.

Fans are already concerned over Mathys Tel's future at Tottenham after his debut for the club in their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool.

Spurs took a 1-0 lead into the second leg at Anfield but were unable to make that advantage count, with Liverpool dominating the first half.

Arne Slot's side levelled proceedings through Cody Gakpo on 34 minutes before a Mohamed Salah penalty in the second half put them ahead in the tie.

It was then 3-0 through Dominik Szoboszlai, with Virgil van Dijk's bullet header making it 4-0 late on.

Tel was brought on for an early Spurs debut in first half stoppage time after an injury to Richarlison, with the number 11 having perhaps expected to wait a little longer to get onto the pitch at Anfield.

The Frenchman, who is on loan from Bayern Munich with a reported option to buy in the summer, had little opportunity to make a significant impact on proceedings given the amount of defending Spurs had to do.

But Spurs fans spotted one encouraging sign from his first outing for the club - though believe it may not necessarily be a good thing in relation to his long-term future.

One fan wrote: "Mathys Tel is waving his arms urging his team-mates to join in the high press."

Another commented: "Yeah he's not joining us on a permanent if this keeps up."

A third wrote: "Mathys Tel looks baffled by the lack of fight on the pitch from his team-mates. Constantly telling them to step up and press."

It was reported that the French forward received a personal call from manager Ange Postecoglou to convince him to move to Spurs after he initially had doubts following a meeting with chairman Daniel Levy.

When asked for details of the conversation, Postecoglou told reporters ahead of the Liverpool clash: "It was sort of an exchange, conversation, messages, that lasted a couple of hours.

"I felt that if I kept him on the phone long enough, I would wear him down. He was falling asleep by the end!

"I got a sense pretty early on that there was a connection there and he was hearing what he wanted to hear. It is a big decision."

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly agreed a deal for a new signing nearly 24 hours after the January transfer window slammed shut.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was forced to bring in new faces during the January transfer window after recent injuries suffered by the likes of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke.

In turn, they brought in players like Antonin Kinsky, Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso.

The January transfer window slammed shut for English clubs on Monday night but it has been claimed that Spurs are set to complete another signing.

As reported by The Sun, Spurs are set to complete a record breaking deal for St Patrick’s Athletic youngster Mason Melia.

It has been suggested that the North London club will pay £1.6 million plus add-ons for the 17-year-old, who will become the first million-pound player to come out of the League of Ireland Premier Division.

However, the report also claimed that due to Brexit rules, Melia will not be able to join Spurs until the first window after he turns 18.

As a result, Melia is likely to join Spurs on January 1, 2026.

Aside from Spurs, clubs such as Celtic, Everton, Club Brugge and Eintracht Frankfurt were all said to have shown an interest in the young striker after his impressive form for St Patrick’s Athletic.

Melia is highly rated in Ireland and has scored six goals in 31 appearances for his side in 2024.

With Melia set to be a Spurs stiker in the future, the pressure is instantly on Frenchman Tel, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich.

Speaking in his first interview, Tel said: "Why I chose Tottenham? It was the best option for me. I’m ready to play, I’m here, I’m ready to grow. It was the best option for me and now I’m very happy.

"I felt the commitment, I spoke with the President, the team manager, the coach and as I said, that was very important for me."

Spurs are back in action on Thursday night when they take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield.

It has been revealed what convinced Mathys Tel to change his mind after originally rejecting a move to Spurs this January in favour of a move to Man United.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Tel's transfer to Spurs will be a straight loan, with no buy option inserted in the deal.

The report also states the North London club will cover the forward's full salary for the rest of the season until he returns to Bayern Munich.

However, Tel will join Spurs after initially rejecting their approach for a permanent transfer, with Florian Plettenberg reporting the 19-year-old wanted to join United.

Tel's U-turn has become the main story of deadline day, and ESPN have revealed exactly what changed the Frenchman's mind.

According to Julien Laurens, Ange Postecoglou had a lengthy call with Tel after hearing he wasn't keen on the move in order to map out exactly what he had planned for the youngster.

Laurens explained the Spurs boss played a 'huge role' in Tel's U-turn, with the teenager travelling to London on Monday to secure the move.

Speaking after last week's Europa League victory over Elfsborg, Postecoglou gave a coy response when asked about his side's pursuit of Tel.

"I can't tell you anything about Tel," he said during his post-match press conference. "I've been focusing on getting the team prepared tonight.

"Other people are working in the background. As I've said all along, I'm allowing them to get on with it, and when, and if, there's any news I'm sure I'll find out."

Tel is poised to become Spurs' second signing of the winter transfer window, following the arrival of Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague for £12.5 million.