Furious Berbatov breaks his silence

New boss Juande Ramos, in a clear reference to the striker, said last night he only wants players who are committed to the club.

But the Bulgarian international has sought to put the record straight ahead of tonight's UEFA Cup group clash against Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel.

He said: "I don't like to speak too much and don't like to be in the papers. I just want to play football. There has been a lot of stuff written about me leaving. I haven't said anything until now, but they are now involving my family and I cannot allow that. When somebody is writing lies about my family I must get involved."

Berbatov's outburst followed suggestions from his father Ivan on Bulgarian television his son "doesn't feel happy at Tottenham any more. He wants to leave".

His brother Asen added: "Dimitar has outgrown Spurs. He needs to find a bigger club. I think next season he will go to a bigger club."

Berbatov insisted though that his was the only voice Spurs fans should listen to and that he is being honest when he says that he wants to stay.

"I am my own man, when I want to speak I will
and I will tell you the truth no matter how hard it is.

"That is why I am talking now. I want to let everyone know that I am a Tottenham player, I love the club and everyone at the club. I don't always smile so much, but that does not make me a bad person.

"I don't smile because we are near the bottom of the table and have not been playing-well - I have not been playing well either. The worst thing is when someone starts writing lies and when people see that they start to believe it. That really is the worst thing.

"I just want to say that I am here, I am happy here and I will help the club in any way I can.

"Bringing my family into it is the biggest sin."