I won’t mute celebrations if I score at Tottenham, insists Adebayor

The striker, who had his contract with the London club terminated in September, travels with Crystal Palace to White Hart Lane for an FA Cup fifth-round clash over the weekend.

And despite spending five years at the club, the Togo frontman, says he will not mute his reaction if he scores. “I play football, why am I not going to celebrate against Tottenham?” he said.

“Today I don’t play for Tottenham. Scoring goals is what I do best in my career. If I score against Tottenham, trust me, I’m going to celebrate.

“If I’m on the pitch and I score and I’m not going to celebrate I would rather tell the manager I’m not going to play because what is the point of scoring goals and not celebrating?”

“For me, apart from having my baby, the best thing is whenever I score my next goal. So if I score against Tottenham, I don’t know why I shouldn’t celebrate."

Adebayor also insists that his relationship with the club was still good despite being sent to train with the youth team towards the end of his Tottenham career.

“I had my good times at Tottenham and I had my bad moment,” he added. “Today they are having a good time as a club, I’m very happy for them, but I’m going there to play against them.”

“Maybe 15 years ago I was playing on a beach without shoes and I was living in a house without a roof. So for me coming to Europe and making money and then a manager or a club telling me to train with the youth?

“I always have to keep going because I know there is a whole country which believes in me, knows my quality and what I can do on and off the pitch. So I have to come here, make money to go and save lives in Africa. A lot of my money is going back home for charity. For me that is the most important thing.”

Adebayor also insisted that his decision to go back to Togo to wait for a January transfer while Spurs paid his salary was not an indication of his lack of desire to continue his career in England. “I know when it is time to work you have to work, and obviously on my Instagram I show people what I want them to see,” he said.

“So a lot of people will say ‘He took money from Tottenham and went on holiday chilling’ but I can guarantee I was not chilling I was working more than all the Premier League players that were playing.”

Kick off is at 3pm (BST).

The match will take place at Selhurst Park. Here's all the info you need about the ground.

No, unfortunately it will not be screened in the UK.

International viewers can see their options here.

Mauricio Pochettino made six changes for the 1-1 Europa League draw away to Fiorentina on Thursday, with the likes of Harry Kane and Eric Dier on to the bench, so the side is likely to be swapped around again. Michel Vorm again expected to step in again for Hugo Lloris (shoulder) in goal, while Clinton Njie and Jan Vertonghen (both knee) will also miss the game.

Emmanuel Adebayor is not cup-tied despite the complex nature of his transfer from Spurs, who continue to pay some of his wages, and Joe Ledley and Dwight Gayle also available again for Palace, Jason Puncheon and James McArthur are Pardew's only absentees.

Tottenham and Crystal Palace have played five games in the FA Cup and the away team has never scored a goal.

In the five FA Cup matches, Spurs have won two, Palace have won two and there has been one draw.

Tottenham haven’t won consecutive FA Cup matches against teams from the top flight since 2001.

Spurs have won just three of the last 10 matches against opponents from the top division.

Tottenham have won their last two FA Cup matches. They haven’t won three on the bounce since 2007.

Palace have won four of their last five FA Cup matches away from home.

Spurs have won 10 and lost just one of their last 14 FA Cup matches at White Hart Lane.

Nacer Chadli has scored four goals in four FA Cup starts for Tottenham.

Crystal Palace have won just two of their last 11 competitive games (W2 D3 L6).

Spurs have conceded less than a goal a game at home in all competitions this season (16 goals conceded in 18 games at White Hart Lane).

Tottenham to win: 8/13

Draw: 11/4

Crystal Palace to win: 5/1.

(All odds courtesy of Paddy Power).