Ange Postecoglou explodes at 'unacceptable' Timo Werner in head-loss after Rangers draw

Timo Werner was slammed for his Tottenham performance against Rangers (Image: Getty)

Ange Postecoglou was furious with Timo Werner’s performance for Tottenham against Rangers, slamming the forward’s display before being hooked at half-time as ‘unacceptable’.

Werner struggled to get into the game in the first half. His performance was epitomised by a loose touch which ran out for a throw-in, ruining a promising Spurs attack.

Postecoglou wanted far more from the Germany international, who he said should have been setting a standard in a team which included teenager Archie Gray. The livid Australian said he expects more from a player of Werner's calibre.

"He wasn't playing anywhere near the levels he can. When you've got 18-year-olds, it's not acceptable to me. I told him that. He's a senior international, a German international," Postecoglou said after the 1-1 draw in Glasgow.

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"In the moment we're in now, I need everyone to be at least going out there and giving the best they can. What he produced wasn't acceptable. When I'm asking the younger players to do massive jobs, I expect more from the senior players like him."

Werner was replaced by Dejan Kulusevski at half-time with the score goalless. Hamza Igamane's excellent finish put Rangers ahead two minutes into the second half, as Postecoglou stood on the brink of another horror defeat.

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However, Kulusevski equalised with 15 minutes remaining. Spurs and Rangers both have 11 points from their opening six matches, with the Scottish Premiership side a place above Ibrox's visitors. Rangers occupy the final automatical qualification spot for the knockout rounds.

Former Celtic boss Postecoglou reflected to TNT Sports: "They're always difficult to play against here at Ibrox, especially on European nights.

Ange Postecoglou was pleased with Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Rangers (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"The nature of the contest, the atmosphere, not many teams come here and win so you kind of expect it to be a tough game.

"We weren’t anywhere near our best which I think is fair to say and at the same time, we’re in a period of games where we’re grinding through at the moment. Obviously [we are playing] with a fairly depleted squad. So, in the context of that, in the end, I think it was a good outcome for us."

Spurs face Hoffenheim and Elfsborg in their final two European league phase fixtures. Rangers - who have a crunch League Cup final showdown with Celtic this weekend - have Manchester United and Union Saint-Gilloise.

Postecoglou has faced pressure over Spurs' results this season. The north Londoners are 11th in the Premier League and collapsed in their 4-3 defeat against Chelsea last weekend, having led 2-0 in the first half.

Ange Postecoglou explodes at 'unacceptable' Timo Werner in head-loss after Rangers draw

Ange Postecoglou explodes at 'unacceptable' Timo Werner in head-loss after Rangers draw

Ange Postecoglou explodes at 'unacceptable' Timo Werner in head-loss after Rangers draw

Ange Postecoglou explodes at 'unacceptable' Timo Werner in head-loss after Rangers draw

Ange Postecoglou explodes at 'unacceptable' Timo Werner in head-loss after Rangers draw