Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou made a significant decision during the 1-1 Europa League draw at Rangers, replacing Timo Werner at half-time. The German forward's performance was far from satisfactory, with 16 possessions lost, no duels won, and only 69% of passes completed. Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson was critical, stating that Werner's final ball decisions had been abysmal and predicting his removal. And indeed, Dejan Kulusevski came on and scored the equalizer in the 75th minute after Rangers took the lead two minutes into the second half.

Postecoglou's Expectations

"When you have 18-year-olds in the squad, such a performance is not acceptable," said Postecoglou. "I conveyed this to Timo as he is a German international. In our current situation with limited options, I need everyone to give their best. His first-half performance was unacceptable, and we need everyone, including him, to contribute as we don't have the depth to afford poor performances. I expect a certain level of performance from our senior players, and tonight it was lacking."

The Impact on Spurs

The draw at Ibrox left Tottenham with only one win in their last eight games in all competitions. Werner's struggles have been evident since joining from Leipzig last January. The initial loan deal was until the end of last season and then extended. He scored twice in 14 games in the second half of 2023-24 but has only netted once in 19 appearances this season. This is reflected in the price built into his temporary deal, with the option to sign him for £15m initially but now reduced to £8.5m. Werner has 24 goals from his 57 Germany caps but last played for his country in a friendly defeat by Belgium in March 2023. He also scored 23 goals in 89 appearances at Chelsea, winning major trophies before rejoining Leipzig in 2022.

Current Squad Challenges

Tottenham forwards Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are currently sidelined, adding to the team's difficulties. Postecoglou emphasized the need for everyone to step up. With limited options, every player needs to perform at a high level. Werner's case highlights the importance of consistent contributions from the squad. Even with his experience and international status, a poor performance can have a significant impact on the team. The team is now looking to bounce back and improve their form in the coming games.