Harry Redknapp was full of praise as his youthful Spurs side began their Europa League campaign with a draw at PAOK.
Spurs manager delighted to secure a point with changed line-up
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was full of praise for his youthful side as they began their Europa League campaign with a draw at PAOK Salonika.
Spurs fielded a side with an average age of just 23 in the white-hot atmosphere of PAOK's notorious Toumba Stadium on Thursday evening.
The visitors gave as good as they got throughout before surviving a late onslaught to come away with a goalless draw in their opening Group A game in Greece.
With one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool, Redknapp made 10 changes to his side, meaning the likes of Jake Livermore, Harry Kane, Tom Carroll and debutant Yago Falque were thrown into the mix.
Pleased
"I was pleased with performance, particularly in the first half. We kept the ball well," Redknapp said.
"That was an intimidating atmosphere out there tonight. It was fantastic. You don't get that in many places in the world.
"The fans were incredible and they get behind their team.
"The young players have never seen that before and it must have been a difficult experience for them, but I thought they coped very well."
Redknapp singled out diminutive teenager Carroll, who was making only his second Spurs appearance, for particular praise.
Singled out
"I thought young Tom Carroll did well in midfield," he continued.
"He's only a slight little boy but he's a lovely footballer - he works hard and has a great attitude. But they all did well."
Spurs seemed unlucky not to be awarded a first half penalty when Kane went down under a challenge from Pablo Contreras, a decision Redknapp felt was wrong.
"I thought it was a penalty. I've seen a replay. It was a foul," he concluded.
"He wouldn't go down - it was very harsh to book him. It was a penalty."
