Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, has recalled playing against Dutch opponents with Celtic and asserted that he is more knowledgeable about Dutch football than Netherlands international Micky van de Ven.
On Thursday, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host AZ Alkmaar, a team from the Netherlands, in a Europa League league phase match. During his Celtic tenure, Postecoglou had already met AZ in a 2021 Europa League qualifying match and defeated them 3-2 on aggregate.
Postecoglou signed Van de Ven, who came through Dutch outfit Volendam’s academy, from Wolfsburg last season and trumpeted his own knowledge of the Dutch game.
The Tottenham boss pointed out that he faced AZ with Celtic in 2021 and believes that the Dutch outfit are good at identifying young talents.
I think I know more about Dutch football than Micky!”, Postecoglou said at a press conference.
“We played AZ when I was at Celtic a couple of years back.
Always a good side, always good at identifying young talent.”
Postecoglou thinks that Van de Ven had late development and revealed that Volendam were also unsure about the Spurs star’s growth.
He also pointed out that the Tottenham defender was outstanding for them last season and added that Van de Ven is growing all the time.
“With Micky it’s fair to say he developed late but very quickly. Even at Volendam there was a period when they were a bit unsure.
“For us last year he was outstanding in his first year in the Premier League.
“He’s growing all the time, maturing.
I think the more he plays with the national team it will give him more belief.”
Tottenham have won their two games in the Europa League this season and they will be determined to continue their winning moment on Thursday.
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