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Paul Merson rips through Ange for forcing Celtic style on Tottenham -'This isn't Kilmarnock or St Mirren'

Paul Merson has told under pressure Ange Postecoglou that his relentless Celtic approach won't fly against the English big boys as he's not up against the likes to Kilmarnock or St Mirren any more.

Tottenham collapsed at home to Chelsea, who wiped out Spurs' 2-0 lead to leave North London with a 4-2 win, leaving the Aussie under serious pressure ahead of a trip to Ibrox in Thursday as he faces Rangers once again in a Europa League blockbuster. But Merson, who predicted a Chelsea comeback at half-time even when Enzo Maresca's side were trailing 2-1, has warned Postecoglou that his players aren't good enough to just keep attacking their rivals becasue unlike at Parkhead, he doesn't have the best players in the league at his disposal.

A reluctant Merse told Sky Sports: "I don't want to have a go because I like Ange and I like watching Tottenham play. But I'm watching the game and it's like: 'We're 2-0 up against Chelsea, let's just keep on going.' It's like they're playing against Kilmarnock or St Mirren and 'I'm the Celtic manager and I've got the best players.'

Ange Postecoglou

"I haven't got the best players at Tottenham. I haven't got the best players so I have to change. I'm not Man City when I can go: 'You have a shot, we have a shot and we will destroy you,' like they have over the years.

"You've got to be cute. you've got to say: 'Right, we're 2-0 up here. Sit back and let's counter attack.' Solanke was ruining the centre halves, holding it up and bringing people in. They couldn't live with him.

"But then they were charging all over the place and all of a sudden Lavia, the ball comes in and he just put it round the corner to Enzo Fernandez or Palmer and then they're running the defenders. It's so naive.

"I don't want to have a go at Ange because I do like him. But it was too easy for Chelsea and that's why I said at half-time that there was no doubt that Chelsea with this football match becauseI just know what Tottenham are going to do."

Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher couldn't disagree, warning that Ange must compromise or face being axed by ruthless Tottenham supremo Daniel Levy. He added: "I wake up every morning and want to go out with shorts and T-shirt, but you can't. Sometimes you need to put a coat on. He needs to change in some situations, and if he doesn't, he won't be here next season."

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