Alan Smith lauded Bryan Gil for a ‘glorious’ bit of play which led to a brilliant chance for Son Heung-min during the first-half of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Aston Villa.
Smith was speaking on Super Sunday (broadcast on Sky Sports; 26/11; 14:22) after the Spaniard produced a superb cross which so nearly led to the skipper’s ninth league goal of the campaign.
Bryan Gil impresses on rare Tottenham start
Bryan Gil was a surprise starter for Ange Postecoglou’s side. The 22-year-old had previously made just two substitute appearances for Tottenham in the Premier League this season.
There were a couple of signs that Gil was a little rusty. But the quality was also evident. And his best moment of the first-half came when he was played in down the left flank, with Son bursting past the defence in the middle of the pitch.
Gil hit a superb first-time cross that Emi Martinez could not come for. Agonisingly for Tottenham, Son Heung-min could not quite make contact and the chance passed Spurs by. Nevertheless, Smith was full of praise for the youngster.
“It was a glorious ball in. And I thought Son was in a position to get his head on this. I don’t know if he’s got one eye on the keeper. Could he have flung himself at it? Was it a little bit too high? Really nice delivery,” he told Super Sunday.
Turning point for Spurs youngster?
It was largely a positive performance from Gil. His Tottenham career has been incredibly stop-start. And it seemed ominous that he barely featured for Ange Postecoglou’s side so far this season.
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He will be aware that injuries to the likes of James Maddison and Richarlison have led to him getting his chance. But he looked determined to make the most of the opportunity.
He was a little indecisive in the final third and passed up chances to have a shot on goal on a couple of occasions. But Postecoglou will hope that that will improve as he features more and more.
Gil could have a good run in the side ahead leading into January. Hopefully, this proves to be the turning point in his Tottenham career.