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Rodrigo Bentancur's appeal in relation to his seven-match suspension for a racist remark about team-mate Heung-Min Son in a TV interview has been dismissed.

The Uruguay midfielder was given the suspension by an independent commission on November 18 and two days later, Spurs indicated they would appeal.

Spurs said in a statement they accepted the guilty finding against Bentancur but believed the subsequent sanction was severe. The 27-year-old was also fined £100,000 by the Football Association as part of the punishment.

However, his domestic suspension will remain in place after the appeal decision, and he will miss Spurs' upcoming games against Manchester United in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup and the Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

Bentancur, who has still been able to play in the Europa League, has missed games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton. He will be available to play again for Spurs in the Premier League at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

A statement from the FA said: "An independent appeal board has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension.

"An independent regulatory commission imposed a seven-match suspension on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

"This appeal was dismissed following a hearing and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the regulatory commission."

Tottenham do not wish to comment on their appeal being dismissed.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will be facing the media tomorrow ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Thursday.

Bentancur was sanctioned over comments he made in an interview aired on Uruguayan TV in June.

The former Juventus midfielder was asked to show the shirt of a Spurs player and replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming due to it being an "aggravated breach", an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

Son said he and Bentancur remained "brothers" and "nothing had changed" after the Uruguayan immediately apologised to him, admitting he had "made a mistake".

"I've spoken with Lolo (Bentancur). He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised," the South Korea captain said.

"Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.

"We're past this, we're united and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one."

Kick It Out/Frank Soo Foundation: Spurs' appeal 'extended the pain'

Anti-discrimination campaign Kick It Out released a joint statement with the Frank Soo Foundation following the FA Independent Appeal Board's decision to dismiss the appeal against Bentancur's seven-match suspension.

"Kick It Out received more reports about Tottenham's decision to appeal against the discrimination sanction for Rodrigo Bentancur than the original incident itself, the statement read.

"Many of the reports from the East and Southeast Asian community and beyond told us how angry and disappointed they were with the club's actions and how it extended the pain for those who were affected by the original incident.

"We know this has been an upsetting episode for many fans and hope the club will now reflect on its decision and how it might seek to engage with the community.

"The number of reports to Kick It Out over recent seasons shows that more education is needed to highlight East and Southeast Asian racism in football, and we would urge clubs to tackle this in the same manner as other forms of discrimination.

"We await the written reasons for the dismissal of the appeal with keen interest."

The draw for the semi-finals of the 2024/25 Carabao Cup will be made later this week, live on Sky Sports.

The draw will take place at 10.30pm, following the conclusion of the quarter-final tie between Tottenham and Man Utd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 92 teams from the Premier League and EFL that entered the competition have been whittled down to just eight, with three quarter-finals taking place on Wednesday night and one on Thursday.

The remaining four teams will battle it out for a place in the final on March 16, 2025.

Every game from this season's competition is available to watch live on Sky Sports.

Wednesday December 18

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace - 7.30pm kick-off - live on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app

Newcastle vs Brentford - 7.45pm kick-off - live on Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app

Southampton vs Liverpool - 8pm kick-off - live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app

Thursday December 19

Tottenham vs Manchester United - 8pm kick-off - live on Sky Sports Football and the Sky Sports app

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What sport is available on Sky Sports+?

The EFL is at the heart of Sky Sports+ coverage and will see over 1,000 games from the Championship, League One and League Two shown live throughout the season, while every Carabao Cup fixture will also be broadcasted.

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It's not just football that Sky Sports+ will show. Rugby league fans will be able to watch every single match from the Super League while tennis fans can enjoy coverage from the ATP and WTA Tours.

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I am NOT a Sky subscriber, how can I watch my team?

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For instant, contract-free access to all Sky Sports channels, non-Sky subscribers can purchase a NOW Sports Day or Month Membership.

This includes every single live Sky Sports+ stream and on demand catch-up content.

Bottom club Southampton were booed off and Russell Martin was subsequently sacked after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Martin had overseen 13 defeats in their 16 games since promotion back to the top flight in the summer. They are stuck in 20th, already nine points from safety and are now looking for a new boss.

Southampton sack Martin after Spurs hammering

In his programme notes, Martin had called on Saints fans to "keep believing" in his players despite the predicament they currently find themselves in. Any effect those words might have had on supporters was rapidly eradicated.

With just 36 seconds on the clock, James Maddison swept the opener after Djed Spence easily brought the ball forward through the middle of the park. It was the earliest Saints had conceded in the Premier League since November 2013.

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Stream the Premier League with NOW

It was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Heung-Min Son slotted home after Jan Bednarek's poor header, and 3-0 two minutes later, with Son turning provider for Dejan Kulusevski to turn the ball home from close range.

That was enough for the home fans to direct their frustrations towards Martin, but the fourth from Pape Sarr - following abysmal defending in the 25th minute - sparked a mass exodus from St Mary's. It was the earliest Tottenham had led by four goals in a Premier League game.

Martin trudged down the tunnel before the half-time whistle and not only missed the intense boos from the home fans that greeted it, but Maddison's second of the evening, from the tightest of angles.

There was no such intensity in the second half. In fact, Spurs only attempted a single shot in the second half, with Son, Maddison and Dominic Solanke withdrawn with one eye on Thursday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports.

Southampton did try to reduce the deficit, with Tyler Dibling arguably their biggest threat. Mateus Fernandes headed in late on, but knew he had strayed offside immediately. Ultimately, they could do nothing to take the gloss off; the job was already done.

Martin before sacking: Boos hurt me as a manager but I will fight on

Under-pressure Southampton manager Russell Martin speaking to TNT Sports straight after the game:

"I'm hurt at the first half. We just don't respond very well to setbacks as a group.

"Ultimately, it's hurt us a lot this season. We concede so early and we have a chance to foul Djed Spence in the middle of the pitch, and we don't. Then we're 1-0 down, and then the response after that is incredibly poor. So very disappointing.

"Probably the most disappointing thing is we have a plan that I love the week's training. The players have been a part of that process, but we don't carry out with anywhere near enough intensive aggression, because we concede literally the first action they have the ball. So then that's down to mentality and still wanting to stick to it.

"So I didn't recognise our team in the first half. I'm pleased they stuck at it in the second. But it's a tough night."

On whether boos from home crowd affect him: "As a person, no. Because I understand it's not personal. I don't know them and they don't know me.

"As a manager, yeah, of course, it hurts me. It hurts the team, but I also understand it."

Asked where he goes from here: "I think we have no choice but to work and fight. It's all I've done since I've been in this job, and it's all I'll continue to do until I'm told otherwise."

Ramsdale: I feel very sorry for Martin

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale speaking to TNT Sports:

"A difficult one. The early goal sucker-punched us and we just never recovered.

"Give the credit to Tottenham - James Maddison player of the match.

"Tonight's a real difficult one for us to take."

On Russell Martin: "I feel very sorry for him. I think the lads are still trying for him. I don't think there's any question of anything on Russell Martin.

"The fans do deserve better and they're sticking with us, and it's one we have to move on very quickly ahead of Wednesday."

Ange praises senior players Son and Maddison: They were catalysts in win

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou speaking at his post-match press conference about his senior players Son and Maddison standing up:

"Yeah, they were brilliant. I think they sensed that they needed to tonight. We're just spread so thin that we're asking young players and players who haven't played a lot and others who are playing all the time to go out there and still try and play to our identity, still try and play the football we want to and I thought they were both a catalyst for that tonight with both their football but also their mindset of just going out there.

"We had to start strong today. We kind of knew we'd probably run out of gas at the end of the game considering the line-up we had out there and coming off Europe on Thursday night, so I think the players sensed that and credit to them that they started the game that way."

On the win: "Really proud of the players. Obviously we had a tough away European fixture on Thursday night [at Rangers]. We had 10 first-team players unavailable for a number of reasons today, so out of a squad of 25 you do the sums.

"We asked a lot of them to again go out there and dig into their wells of energy and a couple we put out there haven't played for ages so the fact that boys can play with such energy and quality is just outstanding and really pleased that they get the rewards for it because they deserve it."

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

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Bottom club Southampton were booed off and Russell Martin was subsequently sacked after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Martin had overseen 13 defeats in their 16 games since promotion back to the top flight in the summer. They are stuck in 20th, already nine points from safety and are now looking for a new boss.

Southampton sack Martin after Spurs hammering

In his programme notes, Martin had called on Saints fans to "keep believing" in his players despite the predicament they currently find themselves in. Any effect those words might have had on supporters was rapidly eradicated.

With just 36 seconds on the clock, James Maddison swept the opener after Djed Spence easily brought the ball forward through the middle of the park. It was the earliest Saints had conceded in the Premier League since November 2013.

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Stream the Premier League with NOW

It was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Heung-Min Son slotted home after Jan Bednarek's poor header, and 3-0 two minutes later, with Son turning provider for Dejan Kulusevski to turn the ball home from close range.

That was enough for the home fans to direct their frustrations towards Martin, but the fourth from Pape Sarr - following abysmal defending in the 25th minute - sparked a mass exodus from St Mary's. It was the earliest Tottenham had led by four goals in a Premier League game.

Martin trudged down the tunnel before the half-time whistle and not only missed the intense boos from the home fans that greeted it, but Maddison's second of the evening, from the tightest of angles.

There was no such intensity in the second half. In fact, Spurs only attempted a single shot in the second half, with Son, Maddison and Dominic Solanke withdrawn with one eye on Thursday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports.

Southampton did try to reduce the deficit, with Tyler Dibling arguably their biggest threat. Mateus Fernandes headed in late on, but knew he had strayed offside immediately. Ultimately, they could do nothing to take the gloss off; the job was already done.

Martin before sacking: Boos hurt me as a manager but I will fight on

Under-pressure Southampton manager Russell Martin speaking to TNT Sports straight after the game:

"I'm hurt at the first half. We just don't respond very well to setbacks as a group.

"Ultimately, it's hurt us a lot this season. We concede so early and we have a chance to foul Djed Spence in the middle of the pitch, and we don't. Then we're 1-0 down, and then the response after that is incredibly poor. So very disappointing.

"Probably the most disappointing thing is we have a plan that I love the week's training. The players have been a part of that process, but we don't carry out with anywhere near enough intensive aggression, because we concede literally the first action they have the ball. So then that's down to mentality and still wanting to stick to it.

"So I didn't recognise our team in the first half. I'm pleased they stuck at it in the second. But it's a tough night."

On whether boos from home crowd affect him: "As a person, no. Because I understand it's not personal. I don't know them and they don't know me.

"As a manager, yeah, of course, it hurts me. It hurts the team, but I also understand it."

Asked where he goes from here: "I think we have no choice but to work and fight. It's all I've done since I've been in this job, and it's all I'll continue to do until I'm told otherwise."

Ramsdale: I feel very sorry for Martin

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale speaking to TNT Sports:

"A difficult one. The early goal sucker-punched us and we just never recovered.

"Give the credit to Tottenham - James Maddison player of the match.

"Tonight's a real difficult one for us to take."

On Russell Martin: "I feel very sorry for him. I think the lads are still trying for him. I don't think there's any question of anything on Russell Martin.

"The fans do deserve better and they're sticking with us, and it's one we have to move on very quickly ahead of Wednesday."

Ange praises senior players Son and Maddison: They were catalysts in win

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou speaking at his post-match press conference about his senior players Son and Maddison standing up:

"Yeah, they were brilliant. I think they sensed that they needed to tonight. We're just spread so thin that we're asking young players and players who haven't played a lot and others who are playing all the time to go out there and still try and play to our identity, still try and play the football we want to and I thought they were both a catalyst for that tonight with both their football but also their mindset of just going out there.

"We had to start strong today. We kind of knew we'd probably run out of gas at the end of the game considering the line-up we had out there and coming off Europe on Thursday night, so I think the players sensed that and credit to them that they started the game that way."

On the win: "Really proud of the players. Obviously we had a tough away European fixture on Thursday night [at Rangers]. We had 10 first-team players unavailable for a number of reasons today, so out of a squad of 25 you do the sums.

"We asked a lot of them to again go out there and dig into their wells of energy and a couple we put out there haven't played for ages so the fact that boys can play with such energy and quality is just outstanding and really pleased that they get the rewards for it because they deserve it."

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

Bottom club Southampton were booed off and Russell Martin was subsequently sacked after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Martin had overseen 13 defeats in their 16 games since promotion back to the top flight in the summer. They are stuck in 20th, already nine points from safety and are now looking for a new boss.

Southampton sack Martin after Spurs hammering

In his programme notes, Martin had called on Saints fans to "keep believing" in his players despite the predicament they currently find themselves in. Any effect those words might have had on supporters was rapidly eradicated.

With just 36 seconds on the clock, James Maddison swept the opener after Djed Spence easily brought the ball forward through the middle of the park. It was the earliest Saints had conceded in the Premier League since November 2013.

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Stream the Premier League with NOW

It was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Heung-Min Son slotted home after Jan Bednarek's poor header, and 3-0 two minutes later, with Son turning provider for Dejan Kulusevski to turn the ball home from close range.

That was enough for the home fans to direct their frustrations towards Martin, but the fourth from Pape Sarr - following abysmal defending in the 25th minute - sparked a mass exodus from St Mary's. It was the earliest Tottenham had led by four goals in a Premier League game.

Martin trudged down the tunnel before the half-time whistle and not only missed the intense boos from the home fans that greeted it, but Maddison's second of the evening, from the tightest of angles.

There was no such intensity in the second half. In fact, Spurs only attempted a single shot in the second half, with Son, Maddison and Dominic Solanke withdrawn with one eye on Thursday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports.

Southampton did try to reduce the deficit, with Tyler Dibling arguably their biggest threat. Mateus Fernandes headed in late on, but knew he had strayed offside immediately. Ultimately, they could do nothing to take the gloss off; the job was already done.

Martin before sacking: Boos hurt me as a manager but I will fight on

Under-pressure Southampton manager Russell Martin speaking to TNT Sports straight after the game:

"I'm hurt at the first half. We just don't respond very well to setbacks as a group.

"Ultimately, it's hurt us a lot this season. We concede so early and we have a chance to foul Djed Spence in the middle of the pitch, and we don't. Then we're 1-0 down, and then the response after that is incredibly poor. So very disappointing.

"Probably the most disappointing thing is we have a plan that I love the week's training. The players have been a part of that process, but we don't carry out with anywhere near enough intensive aggression, because we concede literally the first action they have the ball. So then that's down to mentality and still wanting to stick to it.

"So I didn't recognise our team in the first half. I'm pleased they stuck at it in the second. But it's a tough night."

On whether boos from home crowd affect him: "As a person, no. Because I understand it's not personal. I don't know them and they don't know me.

"As a manager, yeah, of course, it hurts me. It hurts the team, but I also understand it."

Asked where he goes from here: "I think we have no choice but to work and fight. It's all I've done since I've been in this job, and it's all I'll continue to do until I'm told otherwise."

Ramsdale: I feel very sorry for Martin

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale speaking to TNT Sports:

"A difficult one. The early goal sucker-punched us and we just never recovered.

"Give the credit to Tottenham - James Maddison player of the match.

"Tonight's a real difficult one for us to take."

On Russell Martin: "I feel very sorry for him. I think the lads are still trying for him. I don't think there's any question of anything on Russell Martin.

"The fans do deserve better and they're sticking with us, and it's one we have to move on very quickly ahead of Wednesday."

Ange praises senior players Son and Maddison: They were catalysts in win

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou speaking at his post-match press conference about his senior players Son and Maddison standing up:

"Yeah, they were brilliant. I think they sensed that they needed to tonight. We're just spread so thin that we're asking young players and players who haven't played a lot and others who are playing all the time to go out there and still try and play to our identity, still try and play the football we want to and I thought they were both a catalyst for that tonight with both their football but also their mindset of just going out there.

"We had to start strong today. We kind of knew we'd probably run out of gas at the end of the game considering the line-up we had out there and coming off Europe on Thursday night, so I think the players sensed that and credit to them that they started the game that way."

On the win: "Really proud of the players. Obviously we had a tough away European fixture on Thursday night [at Rangers]. We had 10 first-team players unavailable for a number of reasons today, so out of a squad of 25 you do the sums.

"We asked a lot of them to again go out there and dig into their wells of energy and a couple we put out there haven't played for ages so the fact that boys can play with such energy and quality is just outstanding and really pleased that they get the rewards for it because they deserve it."

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

Bottom club Southampton were booed off and Russell Martin was subsequently sacked after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Martin had overseen 13 defeats in their 16 games since promotion back to the top flight in the summer. They are stuck in 20th, already nine points from safety and are now looking for a new boss.

Southampton sack Martin after Spurs hammering

In his programme notes, Martin had called on Saints fans to "keep believing" in his players despite the predicament they currently find themselves in. Any effect those words might have had on supporters was rapidly eradicated.

With just 36 seconds on the clock, James Maddison swept the opener after Djed Spence easily brought the ball forward through the middle of the park. It was the earliest Saints had conceded in the Premier League since November 2013.

As it happened | Teams | Match stats

Live Premier League table | Watch PL highlights for free

Stream the Premier League with NOW

It was 2-0 after 12 minutes when Heung-Min Son slotted home after Jan Bednarek's poor header, and 3-0 two minutes later, with Son turning provider for Dejan Kulusevski to turn the ball home from close range.

That was enough for the home fans to direct their frustrations towards Martin, but the fourth from Pape Sarr - following abysmal defending in the 25th minute - sparked a mass exodus from St Mary's. It was the earliest Tottenham had led by four goals in a Premier League game.

Martin trudged down the tunnel before the half-time whistle and not only missed the intense boos from the home fans that greeted it, but Maddison's second of the evening, from the tightest of angles.

There was no such intensity in the second half. In fact, Spurs only attempted a single shot in the second half, with Son, Maddison and Dominic Solanke withdrawn with one eye on Thursday's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports.

Southampton did try to reduce the deficit, with Tyler Dibling arguably their biggest threat. Mateus Fernandes headed in late on, but knew he had strayed offside immediately. Ultimately, they could do nothing to take the gloss off; the job was already done.

Martin before sacking: Boos hurt me as a manager but I will fight on

Under-pressure Southampton manager Russell Martin speaking to TNT Sports straight after the game:

"I'm hurt at the first half. We just don't respond very well to setbacks as a group.

"Ultimately, it's hurt us a lot this season. We concede so early and we have a chance to foul Djed Spence in the middle of the pitch, and we don't. Then we're 1-0 down, and then the response after that is incredibly poor. So very disappointing.

"Probably the most disappointing thing is we have a plan that I love the week's training. The players have been a part of that process, but we don't carry out with anywhere near enough intensive aggression, because we concede literally the first action they have the ball. So then that's down to mentality and still wanting to stick to it.

"So I didn't recognise our team in the first half. I'm pleased they stuck at it in the second. But it's a tough night."

On whether boos from home crowd affect him: "As a person, no. Because I understand it's not personal. I don't know them and they don't know me.

"As a manager, yeah, of course, it hurts me. It hurts the team, but I also understand it."

Asked where he goes from here: "I think we have no choice but to work and fight. It's all I've done since I've been in this job, and it's all I'll continue to do until I'm told otherwise."

Ramsdale: I feel very sorry for Martin

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale speaking to TNT Sports:

"A difficult one. The early goal sucker-punched us and we just never recovered.

"Give the credit to Tottenham - James Maddison player of the match.

"Tonight's a real difficult one for us to take."

On Russell Martin: "I feel very sorry for him. I think the lads are still trying for him. I don't think there's any question of anything on Russell Martin.

"The fans do deserve better and they're sticking with us, and it's one we have to move on very quickly ahead of Wednesday."

Ange praises senior players Son and Maddison: They were catalysts in win

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou speaking at his post-match press conference about his senior players Son and Maddison standing up:

"Yeah, they were brilliant. I think they sensed that they needed to tonight. We're just spread so thin that we're asking young players and players who haven't played a lot and others who are playing all the time to go out there and still try and play to our identity, still try and play the football we want to and I thought they were both a catalyst for that tonight with both their football but also their mindset of just going out there.

"We had to start strong today. We kind of knew we'd probably run out of gas at the end of the game considering the line-up we had out there and coming off Europe on Thursday night, so I think the players sensed that and credit to them that they started the game that way."

On the win: "Really proud of the players. Obviously we had a tough away European fixture on Thursday night [at Rangers]. We had 10 first-team players unavailable for a number of reasons today, so out of a squad of 25 you do the sums.

"We asked a lot of them to again go out there and dig into their wells of energy and a couple we put out there haven't played for ages so the fact that boys can play with such energy and quality is just outstanding and really pleased that they get the rewards for it because they deserve it."

Story of the match in stats...

What's coming up in the Premier League?

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou says he has "no choice" but to play Timo Werner against Southampton because he is "pulling kids out of school".

Werner was replaced at half-time of Spurs' 1-1 draw at Rangers in the Europa League and Postecoglou described his display as "unacceptable" and not "anywhere near the level" required.

Tottenham were forced into starting 18-year-old Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back before bringing on another teenager in Lucas Bergvall with an hour played.

Ange Postecoglou slams 'unacceptable' Timo Werner display

Rangers 1-1 Tottenham: Report and analysis

Teams | Match stats | Live Europa League table

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Postecoglou was furious that Werner didn't step up as a senior player but will have to give him another chance on Sunday.

The Spurs boss said: "We've got no choice, I'm pulling kids out of school. I literally am. I'm getting notes from their teachers saying young Lucas (Bergvall) has missed another day of school.

"That was the reasoning for pointing it out, we need Timo, we need all of them.

"He's going to play, of course he's going to play."

When asked on Friday how Werner had or might respond to the comments, Postecoglou said: "I've got no time for that sort of stuff anymore. We're in a fight here, collectively we're in a fight. I'm not going to go around worrying about people's bruised egos.

"We want to achieve things, we want to be successful. We're down to the bare bones in players, if there's somebody in that dressing room who's fit, able to contribute and feels like they need something extra at this moment, he's probably not the right type.

"We had some last night that understand the situation that we're in. We've got 15 fit players, in some positions we've only got two players. I'm not going to go around trying to get extra out of people if they don't give extra right now. That gives me an indication of where they're at."

Postecoglou was then asked if that tied into the wider issue of Spurs' struggle to win a trophy.

Cristian Romero appeared to direct criticism towards the club for a perceived lack of investment after their defeat to Chelsea last weekend, but Postecoglou said: "I'm sick of that. That's an excuse for me. That's why, even with Cristian Romero's comments, I just think that's an excuse.

"At the moment, I'm here, I take responsibility, these players, we're here. If we think some mythical thing exists in this club that prevents success then change it. What's the point otherwise? Don't come here. I just don't buy into that.

"At the moment, we're in a difficult situation because of where we are squad-wise and you either embrace this challenge. If you want excuses, there are a million of them as to why we can't be successful. If that's what your clutch is, particularly in tough moments, what's the point? Move on then. Go somewhere else."

In response to whether he regretted his comments about Werner, Postecoglou said: "No, it wasn't criticism, it was assessment. If we've played poorly, we've played poorly. With Timo, it wasn't about whether he'd played well or not, we had a really difficult game.

"I'm asking 18-year-olds to do massive jobs and you've got senior players - he's a senior player, he's an international, won the Champions League - that there's a level of application and performance you need to rise to, to help the team. He didn't reach that.

"Me taking him off at half-time was a statement enough. The same way I won't hide behind team performances, it's not different to players or anyone else."

Analysis: Bullish Postecoglou doing things his way

Sky Sports' News' Paul Gilmour:

The post-match answer on Timo Werner at Ibrox got everyone talking and little over 12 hours later Postecoglou was back at the Spurs training ground previewing the weekend fixture against Southampton.

Not for the first time Postecoglou was box office. He was bullish, unphased and remarkably relaxed despite the injury troubles and recent form. He spoke of being up for the battle and was even compared to a General by one reporter.

Postecoglou knows what he wants and if he doesn't get it, he will be honest as he demonstrated after the Rangers game. He's doing things his way and it should be no surprise to anyone.

He rejected the use of the word criticism and preferred to file it under "feedback". A manager is there to offer performance feedback and, in any industry in the world, that is considered normal.

Of course, the difference here is the public element of it and we've repeatedly heard in football that this kind of feedback in front of the cameras doesn't go down well. I couldn't help but feel, while listening to Postecoglou, that he's doing his best to be demanding of a thin squad at a crucial point in the season, especially those experienced players.

On a few occasions he found time to joke, and while talking up Archie Gray's performance, pointed to the fact the 18-year-old has a bright future before adding: "The next manager will love him."

Attention turns back to the pitch, and before the Manchester United League Cup tie, all eyes will be on St Mary's as both Saints and Spurs go marching into battle.