Son Heung-min: Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou praises captain after dislocated finger incident

Ange Postecoglou praised Son Heung-min’s “high standards” after the Tottenham captain dislocated a finger in an incident on the eve of South Korea’s Asian Cup semi-final exit.

Paris St-Germain’s Lee Kang-in subsequently apologised after reports emerged that he had confronted Son.

“It was Sonny being Sonny,” said Spurs manager Postecoglou.

“When you’re a leader, sometimes you get in the firing line. That’s what leadership is all about.

“Leadership is not about being popular and trying to make everybody happy, it’s about when you see something that you don’t feel is right then you stand up for it because it’s the best thing for the group. I see that in Sonny.”

Son, 31, had been expected to captain South Korea to their first Asian title since 1960.

However, they lost 2-0 in the semi-finals to a Jordan side some 64 places below them in the world rankings, who were then well beaten 3-1 by hosts Qatar in the final.

On Friday, Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked as South Korea’s head coach. after just 12 months in the role.

Meanwhile, Son, still sporting taped up fingers, returned to club duty last Saturday and played a key role off the bench as Tottenham came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1.

“Sometimes people are mistaken about Sonny because he’s such a positive guy, who whenever you see him is smiling and everyone has a real affection for him, but he wants to win,” Postecoglou added.

“He doesn’t like standards slipping and I’ve seen him do that around here. If something is not right, he will say it.

“Sometimes it is not the popular thing to do. Sometimes that puts you in the firing line with the playing group and with coaches or the club, but as a leader if you think this is the right thing to do, then you should go strongly on it.

“Sonny by nature is a nice guy. He is very polite and very respectful but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a real winner and a guy who has high standards.”