Ange Postecoglou: ‘Do not doubt my honesty, he is currently dealing with an injury’

His side may well have progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup, but nothing could seem to brighten Ange Postecoglou’s evening as he snapped back at a reporter over a question about Eric Dier’s absence.

Postecoglou watched his Spurs side narrowly beat Burnley 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to a wonderful goal from Pedro Porro, but the name on everyone’s lips was Dier, strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich, and the defender was omitted from Spurs’ matchday squad.

In his post-match interview with ITV Sport, Postecoglou stated that he knew nothing of the rumours around Dier’s future.

“[Eric Dier] is injured; he got injured in training yesterday,” he said. “[I know] absolutely zero [about his links with Bayern Munich]. He didn’t train yesterday, he was injured, so he wasn’t selected.”

In his post-match press conference, the Australian manager was agitated by being asked the same question once more.

“He’s injured and pulled up sore in training and couldn’t take part. [The transfer rumour] is a separate issue, but don’t question my integrity. When I say he’s injured, he’s injured. Ask him, but he was injured. It’s got nothing to do with anything else.

“I’ve got no idea [about the rumours], but when you ask me whether he’s injured, he’s injured. I didn’t make that up. If he wasn’t injured, I’d say he wasn’t selected. It’s easy for me to say.

“In terms of anything else that’s happening, not on my radar. If there is something, I’m sure you’ll hear of it, but it’s fair to say in the last 24 hours, I’ve been focusing on the game and the guys who are available.”