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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

James Maddison to Tottenham transfer issued Angeball caveat as Celtic spell shows Postecoglou demands the 'hard yards'

Leicester City star James Maddison has been warned he must do the "hard yards" under boss Ange Postecoglou if he seals a move to Tottenham.

The 26-year-old has become one of the most exciting attacking players in English football and is expected to leave Leicester following their relegation to the Championship. Despite the clubs relegation from the English Premier League last season, the England international scored 10 goals and provided nine assists under Brendan Rodgers and replacement Dean Smith.

Reports south of the border suggest that Maddison is the number one target for Spurs this summer with former Celtic boss Postecoglou keen on the deal following his arrival in north London, although could face competition from Newcastle. And pundit Frank Sinclair reckons that Maddison is exactly the kind of player the Spurs support will enjoy watching - with a deal in the region of £50million touted for the Foxes star.

He told talkSPORT: “Historically Tottenham have always had a ball-playing midfielder. Someone who can hold onto the ball, who is technical, can look after it and try things, not be too safe, and I think that’s James Maddison.

“I think he would be a massive addition for them. For anyone in the league as a squad player, but for Spurs I think he could go right in there and be a starter.”

Sinclair - who has been open about his admiration for Celtic - reckons that the Australian's spell in Scotland show he will demand hard work from Maddison as well as skill. He continued: “From what I hear, Ange Postecoglou impresses him.

"But he’s got to understand that if he wants to play for Postecoglou at Spurs, he’s got to work off the ball as well, not just on it. That’s an area where I feel if he wants to get to the next level he could work harder off the ball, so if he wants to go and work for Postecoglou he’s got to put in the hard yards.”

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