Son: Lack of goal celebrations out of ‘respect’ for Andre Gomes

Tottenham winger Son Heung-min has said that he avoided celebrating his brace of goals on Wednesday evening out of “respect” following the ankle injury suffered by Andre Gomes.

Son scored twice as Spurs thrashed Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, four days after the South Korean was left visibly distraught following his involvement in the serious injury Gomes suffered in the 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday.

Son was a doubt for Wednesday’s game but having been chosen to start by boss Mauricio Pochettino, the winger said he was pleased he could show the “right response” to the injury.

“Of course it has been a really tough few days but I have realised how lucky I am with all the support I have had from the fans and my team-mates,” Son, who has sent Gomes a personal message, said on BT Sport.

“I can say I’m really sorry for the accident and the situation but I had to focus for the team and I had to keep going and it was the right response to all the people who have supported me. I didn’t want to celebrate because I just want to respect the situation.

“Of course, I still feel really sorry about this situation. It’s been a few tough days. I wish Andre Gomes gets well soon and best wishes.”

Pochettino added: “I told you, it wasn’t a big issue. It was a problem for everyone, not only for Sonny, for everyone on the pitch.

“We feel very sorry about what happened to Andre, but he moved on quickly. We helped him to move on. It was a mix of everything, not only the injury, the red card, how we missed the three points.

“He moved on quick and we helped him to move on and today he scored twice and he helped the team win the three points which was the most important thing.”

Spurs return to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Sheffield United in North London.