Southampton manager Tonda Eckert storms out of press conference after ‘spygate’ grilling

Kim Hellberg did not mince his words when asked about 'spygate' (Getty)

Despite the match analysis, reporters persistently pressed Eckert on ‘spygate’.

The manager remained steadfast in his refusal to engage, reiterating: "I think the club has made a statement yesterday evening. I think that’s all there is to say at the moment.

“I think we can talk about this and I know that these questions are coming up, but I think we shouldn’t get distracted by the importance of those two big games. The big games always belong to the players and I think they deserve that the focus is on them."

After seven minutes of continued questioning, and an intervention from Southampton’s communications director, Eckert ultimately departed the conference.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg faced similar scrutiny on the subject.

Asked if the controversy tempted him to alter his original plans, Hellberg commented: "We tried to focus on the game as much as ever possible, to try to win it in the way we believe, in the way that is preparing a game. You can’t, you can go mental if you’re going to think ‘has he seen this? what is the footage’? Again, we have to try to win the game in an honest way. That’s what we tried to do today and I’m very proud of that.

“That was one of the best first halves I’ve seen on English soil since I arrived, to be fair. It was like watching an unbelievable game of football and I’m so proud of that. It’s sad that your first 10 questions are about that when you witness that first off from a team in the Championship, but I understand."

The winner of Tuesday’s play-off will face either Hull or Millwall, with ‘spygate’ expected to remain a prominent talking point.