James Maddison explains who his celebration was aimed at in fascinating Sky Sports post-match interview

James Maddison explained who he aimed his celebration at after scoring the winner for Spurs on his return to injury.

Maddison was back in the side for Spurs as they hosted Manchester United on Sunday, with he and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario giving Ange Postecoglou's men a huge boost for the fixture.

The 28-year-old has been missing for around three weeks but made an instant impact in his comeback, bagging the only goal of the game in the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

After Andre Onana could only parry Lucas Begvall's effort into danger, Maddison pounced to tap in the rebound and give Spurs a narrow victory which moves them up to 12th in the Premier League.

He celebrated by performing his customary darts celebration and then producing a shush gesture.

In his post-match interview with Patrick Davison of Sky Sports after the game, Maddison was asked about the meaning behind his celebration and he implied that it was a response to recent criticism from Manchester United legend and Sky pundit Roy Keane.

"Just a little bit of outside noise this week wasn't there," a smiling Maddison said.

"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!"

"I hope there's a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today!" 👀🤫

James Maddison on his celebration after scoring against Manchester United... pic.twitter.com/mNu1asU4dU

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025

What Keane said about Maddison

On the latest episode of the Stick to Football episode, Keane attacked Maddison with an unprovoked attack about the former Leicester City midfielder, questioning his impact and having a dig about his difficulties breaking into the England squad.

Keane said: "We saw Maddison at Tamworth, he was taken off. Tamworth are non-league.

"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.

"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 mentioned how Postecoglou tells players to limit distraction with what others are saying but the Coventry City youth product, one of the most switched-on footballers, admitted that it is hard to ignore.

"The gaffer always talks about blocking the outside noise but sometimes it's difficult," he continued.

"It's constantly in your face. You can use it but I think gaffer prefers when you're just in our own little bubble and listening to him.

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

"It's about responding in the right way and I did that today."