Archie Gray steals spotlight but positives in abundance as Tottenham get pre-season campaign underway

When Archie Gray joined Tottenham for £30million last month, the midfielder — who can also play right-back — would not have expected to be starting at centre-back under Ange Postecoglou.

But that is where the 18-year-old played last night in his first Spurs appearance since signing from Leeds.

Gray impressed alongside Oliver Skipp in a makeshift centre-back pairing, as Spurs kicked off their pre-season with a 5-1 win at Hearts.

Postecoglou talked up his impact and said: “He did well. He probably was not expecting to be starting in our back-four, but it is about getting accustomed to how we train and how we play. He is an intelligent kid and I knew he would cope.

“I thought he was really good. He did the things we know he can do well and is adapting to the intensity and tempo we want.”

Postecoglou was also pleased with the display of Lucas Bergvall, who made his first Spurs appearance since joining for £8.5m.

The 18-year-old Swedish midfielder impressed, assisting 16-year-old Mikey Moore for the third goal and also having a hand in the fifth.

Spurs fans will also have been encouraged by a bright 45 minutes from James Maddison in his first appearance since his England snub for Euro 2024. Integral for Spurs in the first half of last season, Maddison struggled after returning from a hamstring injury. His assist for Brennan Johnson’s opener offered a reminder of his quality.

There was also a return for Manor Solomon, who missed most of last season with a serious knee injury.