‘He got emotional’

Ange Postecoglou says Cristian Romero has apologised for his public comments in which he appeared to criticise Tottenham bosses.

The centre-back spoke after their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea and hinted that Spurs must strengthen in the transfer market like their London rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool.

talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan hit out at Romero for his apparent dig and said: “You’re an employee, shut your trap, get on with your job.”

Postecoglou spoke about his defender’s observations ahead of their Europa League clash at Rangers, which is live on talkSPORT.

“In the context of the day, Cristian was really disappointed obviously, more than disappointed in the fact that he works hard to get back and it was a big game for us.

“He knew that, had to go off and then to watch the team sort of have to feel the pain of another defeat in the manner it happened, he was obviously very emotional.

“He’s a leader in the club, he hasn’t been able to help us and I think it was his way of trying to, as a leader, help us and the group in saying that we’re going through a tough time but he believes in what we’re doing.

“And then the other part of it probably, he went about it sort of the wrong way in terms of, I think he’s passionate about having success at the club.

“I think the way he probably expressed it was not the right way, particularly in a public sense because I don’t feel and certainly it’s not my belief that our kind of challenges at the moment are because of one thing or one person.

“I don’t believe that. I never have believed that. I think whatever we need to do, we have the power to do that, but it’ll only happen if we kind of stay united as a group, particularly through difficult times, and get through on the other side.

“I really believe if you can do that, you come out stronger. Cristian, he realises what he said. A lot of what he said was good. Some of what he said wasn’t right and shouldn’t be done in the public.”

When asked if Romero will be punished, he added: “I think I’m pretty consistent in saying I just don’t think that that’s important.

“I think what’s more important is an understanding of how we should deal with these things and deal with them better.

“I’ve already spoken to Cristian about it. He’s apologised for the way he said it, particularly in the public sense, wasn’t the right way to go about things. He is a human being, he got emotional and I think he just expressed what he wanted to express publicly in the wrong way.

“He does care. I think it would have been easier for him not to say anything. He does care, but like I said, there’s a way to do these things.”