UEFA Europa League 2024: Tottenham Hotspurs draw with ...
Ange Postecoglou was spared embarrassment in his return to Scotland after his Spurs drew with Rangers in their Europa League clash in Glasgow on Friday morning (AEDT).
Tottenham continued its inconsistent run of form in the 1-1 draw at Ibrox Stadium, leaving the north London team in ninth place, only on goal difference, behind the Scottish side in eighth.
The top eight automatically qualify directly to the competition's round of 16 while the teams placed 9-24 are bound for a two-legged playoff.
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Hamza Igamane netted for Rangers at the start of the second half off a cross from James Tavernier in what was a return to Glasgow for Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou, who led Celtic for two seasons.
Spurs substitute Dejan Kulusevski was fed by fellow substitute Dominic Solanke to score 15 minutes before time.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou reacts. Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
But the drama wasn't done. In the 86th minute, Cyrial Dessers found himself in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Fraser Forster with a golden chance to put the Rangers back ahead, but Forster somehow got a glove to the shot and forced it wide.
Dominic Solanke then had a chance to put the Spurs up in the final minute of regular time, but couldn't get enough head onto a James Maddison cross and it was easily saved.
The result takes the Spurs to 11 points from their last six games with two league fixtures to come in the new year.
The result means Tottenham are winless in their last three Europa League contests after being held 2-2 at home by Roma in the previous round and losing 3-2 to Galatasaray the round before.
"It's fair to say we're in a bit of a struggle," Postecoglou said post-match.
"We were not anywhere near our best but [we're] in a period of games [where] we're grinding through with a depleted squad, asking players to get up week in, week out. In the context of that, it's a good outcome.
"The subs made a difference and scored a good goal. A great save by Fraser gives us an important point.
"It is the result, what's fair and unfair is for others to judge."
The side has also only won once ― a 4-0 upset win over Manchester City last month ― in their last eight matches following a 4-3 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday morning.
After three draws and two losses since Tottenham's last win, Postecoglou has been under increasing pressure.
However, things could have been much for the Victorian when the Rangers got through on goal late in the match.
Only a minute after he was first denied, Dessers found the back of the net but the celebrations were short-lived as the offside flag was shown.
Having started the match up front, Timo Werner was benched at the half-time break for Kulusevski.
In his post-match presser, Postecoglou voiced his frustrations with Werner's performance, labelling his efforts "unacceptable".
Timo Werner in action for Tottenham Hotspur. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
"He wasn't playing anywhere near the levels he can," Postecoglou said.
"When you've got 18-year-olds [alongside on the pitch], it's not acceptable to me.
"I said that to Timo ― he's a senior international, he's a German international.
"In the moment we're in right now, it's not like we've got many options. I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn't acceptable."
Werner is currently on loan at Tottenham from RB Leipzig.
Tottenham will next face Southhampton in the Premier League on Monday morning.
