Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven set to be out till Christmas as the former Celtic boss returns to Glasgow for Battle of Britain clash as Rangers host Tottenham
Ange Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou is facing a growing injury crisis
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Image: Getty Images)
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Ange Postecoglou will return to the hostile atmosphere of Ibrox tonight (Thursday) with his Tottenham squad hamstrung by the worst injury crisis of his career.
The Spurs boss also revealed "emotional" Cristian Romero has apologised for his stinging criticism of the club after Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea.
But after only one win in seven, Postecoglou was more preoccupied with the Argentine (quad) and Micky van de Ven (hamstring) joining a lengthening injury list and are set to be out until at least Christmas. Archie Gray will be deployed as an emergency centre-back tonight.
Rangers skipper James Tavernier warned yesterday the Spurs team could be affected by the “electric “ atmosphere in this latest Battle of Britain.
Ange Postecoglou reveals Cristian Romero's next steps after public Daniel Levy blast
Former Celtic boss Postecoglou knows all about big games in Glasgow but he is more concerned about the injury list before three big games in three different competitions in the next week
“It is the worst crisis I have ever known by a fair stretch,” he said. “It’s challenging. “It’s no secret we’re thin on numbers both squad wise and position wise. We’ll have to deal with what we’ve got. We've still got five or six games to navigate, so we may have to get creative at at some point and deal with it in a different way.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou speaking before the clash with Rangers
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou speaking before the clash with Rangers
Spurs face Southampton, Manchester United (in the Carabao Cup), Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Wolves before the New Year. Postecoglou, whose current side sit 11th in the Premier League, won five trophies in his two seasons with Celtic after joining in June 2021. “I think you know what kind of reception I'll get,” he smiled.
Yorkshireman Tavernier said: “The European nights are always the best at Ibrox. The crowd is electric, they’re always on top of you and really behind you. I think it will be a great atmosphere and we’ll try to make it as hard as possible for Tottenham. Can Spurs be affected by a big European night here? I believe they can.”
Romero gave interviews after the weekend defeat to Chelsea suggesting players and coaches have taken the blame for the club’s shortcomings in recent seasons - and not chairman Daniel Levy. “Hopefully they realise who the true responsible ones are,” he said.
Postecoglou said: “He was obviously very emotional. A lot of what he said was good, some wasn't right and shouldn't have been done in public. He's apologised for the fact that the way he said it. it's certainly not my belief that our challenges at the moment are down to one thing or one person.”
Cristian Romero has apologised after criticising the club in interviews with Spanish-language media after the Chelsea defeat (
Image:
Youtube)
Rangers are third in Scottish Premiership behind Celtic and Aberdeen after a slow domestic start but their better European form sees them in the top eight in the Europa League above Spurs on goal difference.
One Rangers fan on social media dubbed them “the bin men” because the Light Blues only turn up every other Thursday night. But they go into tonight’s clash after four consecutive wins and are unbeaten in eight. “I’m convinced the players can put in a performance they will remember for the rest of their lives,” said Belgian coach Philippe Clement.
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