In a tense Europa League clash on Thursday, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou did not hold back in his criticism of striker Timo Werner, who was substituted at halftime during the team's 1-1 draw against Rangers.

Postecoglou expressed his dissatisfaction candidly, stating, “He wasn’t playing at anywhere near the level he should be. Timo’s first-half performance was not acceptable to me.” He emphasized the importance of effort and commitment from all players, especially with Werner being a German international. “I told Timo that I need everyone to be trying to give their best, and this wasn’t an acceptable example,” he added.

The manager's tactical change paid off when Dejan Kulusevski, who replaced Werner, went on to score the crucial equalizer after Hamza Igamane had put Rangers ahead. Despite getting a point from the match, the result left Postecoglou dissatisfied, especially following their recent Premier League loss to Chelsea. “I expect a lot more from the senior guys; we weren’t anywhere near our best. It’s fair to say that we’re grinding through a tough period of games,” he lamented.

Currently, Spurs sit in ninth place in the Europa League standings, struggling to secure a top-eight finish that would guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages. The team has also been dealing with several injuries, complicating their campaign even further.

Postecoglou, who has a rich history with Scottish football after his two-year stint at Celtic, acknowledged the challenges posed by playing against Rangers in front of their home crowd at Ibrox. “Rangers are difficult to play against, especially here on European nights. Not many teams can come here and win, so you expect a tough game,” he remarked.

The coach also praised his substitutes for their contributions, noting the crucial moments in the match, especially the excellent save from goalkeeper Fraser Forster in the dying minutes. As Spurs look to regain their footing in the league and Europe, the upcoming matches will be vital for the team's aspirations this season.

With the pressure mounting, will Postecoglou find the right formula to inspire his squad back to winning ways? Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks.