Southampton: Shane Long reveals "killer blow"

Football FanCast

By Billy Meyers

Published Feb 19, 2020

Shane Long has revealed what was a "killer blow" for him.

Shane Long has told Southampton's official website what came as a "killer blow" to him.

The 82-cap Republic of Ireland international ended the 2018/19 campaign in fine form, scoring four goals in the last seven Premier League games including strikes against eventual Champions League winners Liverpool and also Wolves.

This term, Long has scored just once in the Premier League while also grabbing two assists.

It has also been reported that he is in talks with the Saints over a new two-year contract.

However, he couldn't help but discuss that aforementioned "killer blow" which came after Mick McCarthy left him out of the squad for the European Championship qualifying match against Switzerland back in August.

What did he say?

Speaking to Southampton's official website about that killer blow, Long said: "Obviously not being in the squad here, the manager of Ireland decided to pick players who were playing at club level and I was overlooked. I spoke to him about it, we kept it very civil, he told me his reasons and I accepted that.

"It was tough because I was really looking forward to it at the time and I needed that game time. I wanted something to clear my head because I wasn’t involved here, so that was a killer blow for me.

"I think it was the first squad since I’ve got into the Ireland team where I’ve been fit but not selected. It was tough for me to take – another body blow, as I say, but I’ve got over it."

Has responded well

Ever since suffering what he describes as a "killer blow", the former Reading, West Brom and Hull striker has done well to respond to that setback.

He has managed to break into Ralph Hasenhuttl's starting XI alongside Danny Ings - who has an incredible 15 Premier League goals to his name this season - while also popping up with some vital contributions for his side.

Long managed to grab a huge assist for Ryan Bertrand's goal in the win over Norwich in what was a relegation six-pointer at the time, while he then registered his second set-up of the Premier League campaign in a 2-1 win over Leicester, which helped the Saints to another three points.