Ange Postecoglou has claimed that assists are "the most useless statistic" after being quizzed on the exploits of Dane Scarlett.

The forward came off the bench during Saturday's 4-1 win at and provided the assist for the final goal of the afternoon, converted by Dejan Kulusevski. Scarlett flicked the ball on with a header into the path of the Swede, who did the rest.

Scarlett is still making his way in the Tottenham first-team picture but was buoyed by his contribution. In his last three games the 20-year-old has come up with a goal and two assists as he continues to influence games in the final third.

The Tottenham youngster has endured some difficult loan spells, one of which was at Ipswich, and Postecoglou was pleased to see him performing but didn't share his enthusiasm when it came to assists, claiming they "don't impress me" such is the manner in which they can be achieved.

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The Australian said: "Dane, like you said, he's had a couple of difficult loans and that's part of the process as well for him. We were just talking about Djed, who had three difficult loans, so some of it is just perseverance and keep working hard and waiting for your opportunity. He has done well for us. I said when he came back, he wasn't in the greatest physical condition and he's working hard on that and hopefully he gets more opportunities.

"As an aside I've got to say the assist is the most useless statistic in football. Seriously, it could come off your backside, fall to somebody on the halfway line he scores, and it's an assist. So it doesn't impress me, but Dane's assist at the weekend was a good one."

This year Tottenham's own Son Heung-min is among the leading players in the assists column this term. , who is on course to win the Golden Boot, has provided more assists than anyone with his goal contributions proving hugely influential.

Postecoglou's view certainly isn't shared by everyone, some of the Premier League's greatest playmakers have taken great pride in providing for others. Back in 2023 Kevin De Bruyne hit 100 assists quicker than any player in history and was thrilled to have hit the milestone.

He said: "I just tried to create as much as possible. I could have had two or three more. If they score I get the assist. I am known for my creativity, there aren’t many football players who have been there. Half of the side is mine and half of the side is the other. It is a proud moment but I have to go on.”

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