Ange Postecoglou handed Celtic shield in Tottenham crossfire as Daniel Levy told boss doesn't care what he thinks

Bullish Chris Sutton insists Ange Postecoglou has already shown at Celtic that performance is his top priority - amid criticism of his stance on Tottenham's Champions League push.

Off the back of the surprise 3-0 defeat to Fulham, Spurs have fallen three-points behind Aston Villa in the push for a top four finish and a guaranteed spot in the group stage of Europe's elite competition. However, from next season amid an expanded Champions League there will be two extra places for Europe's best-performing leagues in UEFA competitions.

Italy and Germany are first and second in the UEFA's coefficient table with England in third place - meaning that by the end of the season a fifth automatic Champions League spot could be sealed for the English Premier League sides. Despite holding a comfortable six-point advantage over Manchester United in sixth, Postecoglou has raised eyebrows with his comments over a top four finish.

After the full-time whistle at Craven Cottage, Postecoglou was asked if Tottenham could still finish fourth and secure the final Champions League qualifying spot. The Australian told reporters: "I don't see fourth as the prize. I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown and developed as a team."

"Fourth would be great if I feel like we're growing as a team, and we're creating something that is going to bring us success next year. But fourth is not our goal... If we finish fifth, and if I think we've got a team to challenge next year, then I won't be disappointed."

Speaking on It's All Kicking Off podcast, host Ian Ladyman declared that it should be the goal as he criticised Postecoglou - and Champions League football should be part of the development of the squad. Baffled Sutton refused to let the