Dominic Solanke praised Tottenham's unity after the win over Bodo/Glimt took them into the Europa League final and closer to the trophy they coveted.
Solanke's 63rd-minute strike in the Arctic Circle gave Spurs a comfortable lead in Bilbao after a 3-1 win in the first leg last week. Pedro Porro also scored six minutes later to delight the 404 away fans.
It has been a difficult season, plagued by injuries, inconsistent results and rumours over the future of manager Ange Postecoglou, but Tottenham are within touching distance of a first trophy in 17 years ahead of an all-English final against Manchester United on May 21.
“We are happy (for Postecoglou). He has kept us on the right path throughout the season and brought us to this point,” Solanke reflected.
“We were a unit from the start of the season. It was tough for us in the league, but we knew we wanted to try to win something big.
“We managed to stay united throughout the entire time.
“It means a lot to the players, the staff and the fans. Obviously it's been a tough season in the league, but we've done very well in Europe.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we got through it and got to the final, so hopefully we can go on and get the win.”
Solanke's close-range strike at the Aspmire Stadium was his 15th of an impressive debut season in north London.
Spurs spent £65million to sign Solanke from Bournemouth last August. Despite his recent 11-game goalless streak and seven weeks out with a knee injury, he has contributed 23 goals for Norway this season.
He added: “Pressure is a privilege. I came to the club in the summer, obviously it's a big club and I had big shoes to fill.”
“In the league we could have done more. Maybe I could have done more too, but in Europe we are so close to winning a trophy that the club has been waiting for for many years. Everyone, the fans, the staff and us, the players, too.
“There have been some tough games recently, but each of us played our part.
“When you're at big clubs, you always want to fight for trophies. We have the opportunity to do that in a few weeks.
“We will have to prepare well, but we will enjoy the process. It is not every day that you get the chance to play in a European final.
“These are the matches we live for, really. The ones we dreamed about as kids.
“It's a privilege, but the work is not done.”
Left-back Destiny Udogi is another Tottenham player who has struggled with injury but he has returned to his best form for the knockout stages and is aiming to help the club win their first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup.
Udogi said: “As a group and as a family, we discuss every day how to stay together and fight on the pitch.
“The manager has done a great job. He helps us every day to be confident, to go out on the pitch and play our best football.
“Yes, I think as a group and as a club we deserve the trophy, so we want to bring it home and we will do our best.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
