Il Nuovo Postiglione - Spurs match-winner Maddison silences 'outside noise' after Keane blast

Keane had launched an acerbic attack on the polarising Maddison, who has endured a difficult season marred by injuries, poor form and questions about his work ethic.

The former Manchester United captain said Maddison would not be a difference-maker on his return from injury, alluding to his appearance at the World Darts Championships in December as he worked his way back to fitness.

"People say Maddison's the man. When is he going to step up to the plate? He got relegated with Leicester and he'll get relegated with Spurs," Keane said on The Overlap podcast.

"Maddison isn't bad when he's not at the darts, but let me tell you, if you think he's going to come back and get Spurs into the top six, you're in cuckoo land.

"He's good, he's a talented player. But if you're a player in the Spurs dressing room and Maddison's back in the squad, you wouldn't be looking and going 'oh Jesus he's back today. We're going to be fine'.

"England have a squad of 300 and he can't even get in that. You kid yourselves, everybody."

Maddison was riled by Keane's criticism and celebrated his 13th minute goal in Sunday's 1-0 win against United by miming throwing a dart and then put a finger to his lips.

Asked afterwards if that had been aimed at anyone in particular, the 28-year-old told Sky Sports: "Just a little bit of outside noise, wasn't there, this week?

"Listen, people have their opinions, but I wanted to do my talking on the pitch today, so I hope there's a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today."

Maddison admitted Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has urged his players to ignore criticism from outside the club.

But the England international used it as fuel for his performance in a victory that lifted troubled Tottenham above spluttering United in the Premier League table.

"No-one is more critical of myself than me. To be fair to the gaffer, he always talks about blocking out the outside noise, but sometimes it's difficult. It's constantly in your face," he said.

"You can use it, but I think the gaffer prefers when we're just in our little bubble and listening to him.

"Sometimes it's difficult because it's constantly in your face these days with social media and WhatsApp, people sending stuff, especially when it's a big-profile name.

"Listen, it's about responding in the right way and I did that today and like I said, I was the match-winner, so I'm really delighted."

M.Dodaro--INP