‘Here forever’: Tottenham and South Korea forward Son Heung-min pays powerful tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Tottenham hat-trick hero Son Heung-min says the passing of Queen Elizabeth II left him feeling really sad as he thought she would be ‘here forever’.

Thirty-year-old Son who won the Premier League Golden Boot last season with 23 goals had struggled to find the back of the net and started the weekend’s game against Leicester on the bench.

However he reminded everyone of his ruthlessness with a 13 minute hat-trick after coming on in the second half to put the game to bed- and ensured  he became only the first player in the history of Tottenham to score a Premier League hat-trick after coming off the bench.

Still bursting in his glory and that of his teammates after the win, the forward admitted he had been left feeling sad earlier in the week after hearing of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who died aged 96.

He told reporters after the game against Leicester: “I’m from outside of the UK but when I heard the news I was really really sad and I thought she was going to be here forever because she has been with us so long.”

Son is going into an important part of his career where the hopes of his country have been placed on his shoulders at this year’s World Cup which is just eight weeks away.

His hat-trick against Leicester was just the perfect medicine to the pressure that was mounting following an underwhelming start to the season that threatened to question his place in Antonio Conte’s starting 11.

He admits he was growing frustrated with missing opportunities but all that was reflected in his celebration after netting for the first time this season.

He added: “Talking about the celebration I couldn’t move. I was just feeling emotional for myself and I just didn’t know what to do. I just stood still looking at the sky and looking at the crowd.

“What was in my mind was my family who just came in mind and my teammates and all the supporters and that is why I just stood there.”

Spurs will see their 13 game unbeaten streak in the Premier League tested wildly after the international break when they take on leaders and north London rivals Arsenals at the Emirates.