Stephen Ireland pleased with Stoke City fighting spirit

Stoke City midfielder Stephen Ireland has praised his teammates for fighting back from two goals down to earn a draw at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Potters trailed 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Eric Dier and Nacer Chadli, but two late strikes from Marko Arnautovic and Mame Biram Diouf made sure they secured their first point of the season.

Ireland told the club's website: "We showed a lot of character today. Sometimes a lot of players don't show that kind of character for a while but we have it instantly with this squad".

Ireland is optimistic for the rest of the campaign, and is adamant that he has never been happier at the club as he enters his third season at the Britannia Stadium.

He added: "We have players here on the same wavelength who are playing quick thinking football and I'm really enjoying it. I'm happy with the chances I got and with the chances I made, but as a whole I'm the happiest and the most confident I have been here.

"My aim is to play here as much as I can, I'm really enjoying it here and I want to achieve a lot of personal goals at this football club."

Stoke travel to play Norwich City next weekend.