Tottenham defender Eric Dier reveals admiration for Arsenal legend Tony Adams

SPURS defender Eric Dier has admitted he grew up loving Arsenal legend Tony Adams.

And Dier, 21, hopes one day that he will show the same kind of leadership as the

Gunners great Dier said: "Tottenham fans might not be happy with me for this but I met Tony Adams 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.

"It was when I was with the under 19s. And one day in training we were a player short so he trained with us - and it was great.

"It was unbelievable. He struggled physically because he was older but he managed to control everyone and spoke so well.

"His body was past it yet he still managed to cope because he could read the game so well and just talked non-stop."

Dier hopes he will develop the same leadership qualities

IDOL: Eric Dier looked up to Tony Adams

He added: "It is something I grow into more. It is something that comes naturally as you become more cemented in a team. I have only been here a year but hopefully I'll become one of the leaders.

"I try to listen to those with experience. Everyone should listen to people like Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen. And Toby Alderweireld. They have played a lot of international matches."

Dier, who wears black boots, loves Spurs' "old-fashioned" striker Harry Kane.

He added: "We met in one of the England age groups. It's been amazing to watch him go from where he was too what he is now. He has worked so hard and still does. His strengths are he he gets his shots away so quickly. It is annoying sometimes because he shoots them through your legs! He snaps it so quickly, it's impressive.

"He also holds the ball up well. He is strong, quick...and he will do the dirty work as well. People think he could be figured out this season but that is easier said than done."

"I'm sure everyone will have all sorts of plans to stop him, but it is up to him now. It will be tougher but he can handle it.

"And me? I love Roy Keane also but I'm not as mean at Roy Keane ... not many people are."