Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou shows true colours with passionate Australia battle call ahead of England clash

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has taken to life in England like a duck to water as his side sits atop the Premier League but life in London hasn't affected his Australian allegiances.

The Spurs boss has been recruited by Socceroos manager Graham Arnold to inspire his side as they go into Friday night's meeting with England as underdogs. The 60-year-old hoped that Postecoglou's free-flowing footballing mentality might lift his squad as they prepare to walk out at Wembley Stadium.

Arnold said: "The speeches by Ange were very similar to what we've been saying for years. Doing it for the kids in Australia, the nation and the supporters. I know one thing - they will run until they drop. The energy will be there and they'll put in the performance of their lives."

Postecoglou was appointed manager at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer and the Aussie spent four years in charge of the national side between 2013 and 2017. The boss led the side at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and, despite failing to get out of the Group Stage, the side's gutsy performances impressed the nation watching from home.

Postecoglou then led the side to qualification for the 2018 World Cup before stepping down in November 2017 and moving on to a role with Yokohama F. Marinos a month later.

England and Australia last met in 2016 when the Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light and tonight's hosts have only lost once in seven meetings between the countries - that was a 3-1 defeat at Upton Park in 2003.

England manager Gareth Southgate has labelled the clash as 'one of the greatest sporting rivalries' and added: "Our mindset has got to be spot on. Equally, we've still got a bit of work to do to qualify for a European Championship. We have good players and we need to give people opportunities to show what they can do."