Eric Dier: 'Arsenal legend Tony Adams inspired me'

Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier has admitted that former Arsenal captain Tony Adams inspired him as a young player, after meeting the centre-back during his time with the England youth setup.

The 21-year-old, who joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, suggested that he regards the English defender as a big inspiration despite growing up in Portugal from the age of 10.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, Dier said: "Tottenham fans might not be happy with me for this, but I met Tony Adams quite a few times. He came away with us when I played for England when I was younger and it was great to be around him.

"I think it was when I was with the Under-19s. One day in training we were a player short so he trained with us - and it was great.

"It was unbelievable. I don't know how old he was at the time by his body was past it, yet he managed to cope because he could read the game so well and just talked non-stop."

Dier has made 41 appearances for Spurs, scoring three goals.