Ange Postecoglou sends crystal clear message to Lucas Bergvall after Tottenham sacrifice

Lucas Bergvall has a bright Tottenham Hotspur future ahead of him. And that is pretty much the message from head coach Ange Postecoglou after the teenager only got ten minutes of action in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Bergvall was in the starting lineup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for his first taste of European action against Qarabag. But that first taste did not last long.

After Radu Dragusin was shown a straight red card just seven minutes into the match, someone had to be sacrificed to get another defender on. That someone was Bergvall.

Everyone of a Tottenham persuasion was looking forward to seeing the blonde-haired teenager in action after his shortened display against Coventry in the Carabao Cup. Unfortunately this was another short display in the team.

But Postecoglou is under no illusions that there will be other chances for the young Swede to impress. Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, the Australian said: "He's 18 he'll get plenty more games but it was a decision we had to make, it was just an adjustment we had to make to get another defender on, nothing against Lucas, he'll get more opportunities."

Tottenham ran out 3-0 winners on the night, despite playing most of the match with ten men. Brennan Johnson got things up and running soon after Dragusin was sent off, with his third goal in three games.

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After the break, Pape Matar Sarr volleyed in from a corner, but things could have taken a turn when Yves Bissouma conceded a penalty. However, Toral Bayramov sent his spot-kick high over the bar.

The visitors had a number of other chances, but could not convert them and Dominic Solanke scored his second in as many matches to ensure it was a winning start in the Europa League.