Tottenham Hotspur will be missing their top-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Rangers, coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed.
Both players returned following spells on the sidelines during the 4-3 home loss to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, but neither completed the encounter. Romero limped off early with a muscle problem, while Van de Ven was taken off late on.
“Romero and Van de Ven, we’re still seeking clarity regarding the injuries, but we’ll be without them again,” Postecoglou informed journalists on Wednesday.
“At present, we’re still attempting to determine timelines for those players, so I wouldn’t set a date on their return just yet.”
Postecoglou’s performance at Tottenham has sparked heated discussion, with the club sitting in 11th spot in the Premier League after 15 matches. They have secured only one victory in their last seven fixtures across all competitions, and Romero openly criticized the club’s management and transfer approach following the Chelsea defeat.
When questioned about Romero’s remarks on Wednesday, Postecoglou stated he had addressed the comments with the Argentine World Cup champion.
“He understands that much of what he expressed was valid, but certain parts weren’t handled in the correct manner. In the same way, I wouldn’t openly reprimand a player,” Postecoglou noted.
“I’ve talked to Cristian about it, and he has apologized. It wasn’t the proper way to address the issue. It shows he’s passionate. However, there’s a better way to approach such matters, and this wasn’t it.”
Securing a victory at Rangers would ease tensions ahead of a pivotal stretch of matches. The Scottish club are positioned one place higher than ninth-placed Tottenham in the Europa League standings, with only the top eight automatically advancing to the knockout rounds.
A journey to Ibrox to face Rangers carries significant significance for Postecoglou, who led their rivals Celtic to two Scottish Premier League championships during his two-year tenure.
“When the draw was made, it was the game that intrigued me the most,” the Australian commented. “It’s a vital match for both teams. A favorable outcome would propel both clubs forward.”
