Sunday 19 February 2017 16:59, UK
Mauricio Pochettino heaped praise on Harry Kane for his all-round performance and character following the striker's hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Fulham.
Kane hit the treble in Spurs' comfortable FA Cup fifth-round win, taking his tally to 19 for the season as Pochettino's side put on a professional showing at Craven Cottage.
Pochettino said after the game that the 23-year-old was more than just a player, and added he was proud of having Kane at White Hart Lane while also praising the Spurs players for their reaction to two straight defeats following squad meetings before Sunday's clash.
"It is not only because he scores lots of goals, he's a great player, a great person," Pochettino said. "He's a very good professional, with his commitment to the club, the team, the coaching staff."
"We feel very proud to have not only a player but a man, and how he is in the squad."
Pochettino added: "After Gent we had a few meetings. I think it was good, and the reaction was fantastic, I am very pleased, now it is to keep that feeling for Thursday."
Spurs made just four changes from the side that lost 2-0 against Liverpool in the Premier League, compared with Manchester City (eight changes) and Burnley (six), who both stumbled in their fifth-round ties against lower-league opposition on Saturday
But the Argentine says his decision to field a strong team was made before Saturday, and insists the players wanted to make amends following two defeats on the trot.
"My intention is to always take the best decision for the team, with the best players to try to win. I think it is always about collective effort.
"I believe in the whole squad. It's about managing 24, 25 players. My decision came before yesterday when we assessed the players on Thursday.
"After two defeats many players wanted to play today. I didn't feel they were tired, and because today was a great opportunity to show we are alive, and to show that feeling after two defeats."
Tottenham host Gent at Wembley in their Europa League round of 32 second leg clash on Thursday, trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Belgium.
Pochettino says the clash is like a cup final, and stressed how important it is to switch the focus straight away and not talk of winning the FA Cup.
"It is too early to say we will win some trophies. On Thursday we have another final. For now we must focus on Thursday, to forget today.
"Thursday is massive, a massive game for us. We need to feel we must win that game to go to the next round, and now we are not allowed to speak about the FA Cup.
"After the draw we forget and focus on Thursday. For our supporters, at Wembley, it is massive, we need to put all of our energy into that."
