Britney Spears gets a shoutout from football manager

Football is a funny old game, and it's full of memorable press conferences and quotes.

Eric Cantona's seagulls and trawlers, Jose Mourinho's famous declaration "I think I'm a special one"... the list is long and illustrious.

But you probably never imagined you'd hear Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino namechecking two of the world's biggest popstars during his pre-match press conference ahead of their big Boxing Day clash with Norwich City.

When asked whether he would consider a top-four finish to be a success if local rivals Arsenal take the Premier League title, Pochettino - in a late contender for football's quote of 2015 - turned to the wise counsel of none other than Britney Spears.

"It's like what Britney Spears and will.i.am sing: 'Everybody in the club, all eyes on us, all eyes on us'," he quipped. "Because it's not important what Arsenal do.

"For me it's important to assess our seasons and how we can compare with us, not how we compare with another team.

"If we finish in the top four it will be because we have improved on last season. I was confident [before the start of the season] and I am still confident with the squad that we have."

So, there you have it. Let's see if Pochettino's advice to his players makes Spurs 'Stronger' during the crucial Christmas fixtures.