Saints goal star has been blighted by injuries and setbacks, but his move back ‘home’ has rescued his career as he sets sights on Golden Boot... INGS ARE ON THE UP
IT’S been a frustrating journey – but Danny Ings is enjoying life again back on his own doorstep.
Injuries have too often muzzled the striker, meaning his current haul of 19 Premier League goals is the best return of his career.
Only once before has he reached double figures in the top flight – 11 for Burnley, following on from 21 in the Clarets’ Championship promotion season.
His change of fortune has delighted Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and his previous managers, who all recognise the blood, sweat and tears that have been needed to build the current model – one chasing the Premier League Golden Boot.
And it led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asking Saints to name their price for the 27-year-old in January as the Manchester United boss searched for more firepower.
Tomorrow night he will be hoping his endorsement of Ings’ progress doesn’t come back to haunt him at Old Trafford.
Hasenhuttl didn’t think twice about knocking back United’s inquiry.
He said: “Danny is one of our own. He is a guy who really enjoys being with us and playing in the area.”
Not that Saints were prepared to give the Winchester-born forward that opportunity when, as a schoolboy, he was shown the door and forced to begin his career along the coast at Bournemouth.
Even then, under Eddie Howe, there were more bumps along what was becoming a torturous road.
“He suffered a serious abdominal injury and couldn’t play for a year,” recalled Howe. “When you are 17 and trying to make your way in the game, that is a real blow. But he was mentally strong enough to come through that period.
“Handing him a contract when money at the club was tight was a bit of a gamble, but it proved to be the right decision.”
And when Howe left for Burnley, his belief in the young hitman was illustrated with a successful £1million bid to bring him to Turf Moor.
Howe’s successor, Sean Dyche, quickly appreciated Ings’ qualities as he helped
Clarets win promotion and was named Championship player of the year.
“When he was here, he was his worst critic,” said
Dyche. “We loved what he was doing, but he always put a lot of pressure on himself. He’s had injuries, but he has now come through all that. Looking at him now, it’s confirmation that his career has come together.” After Burnley came the big move to Liverpool, initially under Brendan Rodgers.
Injuries took their toll and he made only 14 Premier League appearances, but no one at Anfield doubted his qualities.
Rodgers said: “He has always been an outstanding player. He has an eye for goal, but just needed to maintain the consistency to show he’s one of the best strikers around.”
It was with a heavy heart that Jurgen Klopp (left) allowed Ings to join Saints on loan and then permanently for £20m.
“I’m not surprised to see what he has done,” said Klopp. “It is richly deserved and he will always be a friend of Liverpool.”
It was Mark Hughes who brought Ings south.
“It was important for Danny to play regularly,” said Hughes. “That’s why he came to Southampton, a club he had empathy with.
“He’d had a period of frustration at Liverpool when he wasn’t fit. And when he was fit, he needed to be playing every week.”
Now he is aiming for one of football’s biggest accolades – top scorer in the Premier League.
Ings said: “It’s amazing what confidence can do – that’s what you see with the top players.
“They have confidence and have no shame in trying different things.
“After Liverpool, I knew I had to go and be the player I have always wanted to be.”