LONG STORY
Saints award Ireland striker with a new contract after 33-year-old finds a new lease of life at St Mary’s
SHANE LONG agreed a fresh deal with Southampton and immediately set his sights on firing them up the table.
The Republic of Ireland striker, 33, was soon to be out-of-contract and was anxiously awaiting news on his future.
But he penned a two-year extension yesterday and said: “It’s taken a while with the pandemic, which is totally understandable, but I’m delighted to get it done.”
The Tipperary front man continued: “It’s not nice coming to the end of your contract with a family at home, not knowing where they’re going to be in the summer.
“My family are very happy here. My kids have settled in school, my wife loves the area and personally I love the area.
“I love the way the club is run, I love what the club stands for and I’m excited about what the club will do over the next couple of years.
“I can see the club pushing up the league, back to where we all want to be, and I want to be part of that. I’m just delighted to get it done.”
Long joined Southampton in 2014 and in over 200 appearances, has contributed to three top-eight finishes and Europa League qualification.
While he endured a lengthy barren spell in front of goal, the Ireland international bagged three goals in his last eight appearances before the Covid shutdown. Ahead of the resumption of Premier League games, Southampton sit 14th in the table with nine games to go.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “Shane is an outstanding professional. He has been an important player for me and also for the managers before me.
“He has scored some big goals for us and helped to create many more for his team-mates too. I think that is one of his top qualities.
“He is a great team player, and someone who has a positive impact on the group as a whole when he plays.”
Hasenhüttl added: “He is a player who sets the right example for our youngsters to follow in how he conducts himself on and off the pitch.
“It is good news for us that we will have him as part of the squad for another two years.”
Hasenhüttl agreed a fresh four-year deal with the Saints earlier in the week and Long said the former Austrian international is a big reason why he wanted to stay.
Long said: “I think since Ronald Koeman left we’ve been trying to find the right manager and find the right fit, and I’ve got that feeling coming back again.
“We’ve got the right manager and a group of players who are improving week by week, and I know the club wants to add to that and bring in more strength in depth.
“I can see the club pushing up the league and the manager is a big cause – he likes what I bring to the team and he likes how I play. As a player, that’s all you want.”
Long had a frustrating time with injuries – and a lack of club form – under Mick Mccarthy and didn’t play during the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
But despite a host of exciting young forwards breaking through at underage level, the Southampton workhorse will hope to feature under new senior boss Stephen Kenny.