I’LL SCORE GOALS AS SOUNESS I’M GIVEN A RUN IN THE TEAM
Long tells former Saints boss Graeme he CAN finish if given the opportunity
SHANE LONG might have cracked the upper echelons of the Premier League had his finishing been more reliable.
That’s according to Liverpool legend turned pundit Graeme Souness who feels that glaring issue will always count against the Ireland striker. But Long has vowed to prove his critics wrong and yesterday told Southampton that he will produce the goods with a clear run in the side. The all-action 30-year-old has been behind Manolo Gabbiadini and Charlie Austin in the Saints pecking order. But he was parachuted into the starting team for the first time this season in Saturday’s 1-0 win away to Crystal Palace. And ex-southampton boss Souness said: “He has attributes – he’s quick, good in the air and has a never-say-die attitude. Is he a finisher? No, not really, but I do like him. “I think he’s one you would be happy to work with because he looks to be a really good character. The character he shows on the pitch appeals to me.” But Souness (inset) – who also managed Liverpool, Rangers, Galatasaray, Benfica, Blackburn and Newcastle - feels that Long’s finishing lets him down. “That’s why he’s at Southampton and not one of the big clubs because all the other parts of his game are there - he’s a bit like Danny Welbeck,” added Souness. “There’s lots to like about his game and attitude but when it gets to what would make him that special player? “It’s that finishing. Otherwise you would take him seven days a week.” Last season, Long started 10 Premier League games and came off the bench another 22 times scoring three goals along the way. For club and country combined, he made 27 starts last season and was a used sub the same number of times scoring seven goals in the process. But since leaving Reading in 2011, Long has found his career to be stop-start at West Brom, Hull and now Southampton. Long has already secured legendary status among the Green Army after his stunner to floor World Champions Germany in the last campaign. He has just the one goal in this campaign – away to Moldova – but what a time it would be to hit form with two vital games to go. Long said: “Hopefully I can pick up a bit of form. “The more games I play the more confident I’ll be and the more goals I’ll score. “It has been frustrating. The [club] gaffer’s got a few options upfront. He likes to play one striker so someone will be frustrated. I’m just waiting for my chance.”