Kevin Kilbane believes a move away from Southampton could help Shane Long rescue his international career.
The 32-year-old has been left out of Mick McCarthy’s latest Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming fixtures against Switzerland and Bulgaria in the next fortnight.
Long, previously an established member of the senior group, has not been in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans this season. He has made only one appearance, which came towards the end of Southampton’s 1-0 win over Fulham in the Carabao Cup.
Former Ireland international Kilbane, as quoted by The Irish Mirror, discussed what the striker must do to force his way back into McCarthy’s thinking, and alluded to the possibility of a departure from St Mary’s.
He said:
I can’t see Shane retiring. I don’t think there is any need for him to retire or anything like that. He has to keep his head down, work hard and get back in his club side.
It might be away from Southampton, it might be a January move, it might be a loan move away until the end of the season to get back playing games. He was in form at the back end of last season, scoring goals and that was something we hadn’t seen in a while.
I do think he has to react in a positive way for himself. But it’s difficult because sometimes when you feel that hurt and rejection, you think everyone is against you and you go into your shell a little bit.
But I don’t think he’ll have that attitude. Knowing him and how he plays and trains, I think he will get his head right and prove himself again.
Read Southampton’s verdict
Long’s absence has been somewhat odd this season. He scored four goals in Saints’ final seven games last term but has not even made the bench in the Premier League under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
He is 32 now and approaching the twilight of his career. Less than a year remains on his current contract at Southampton, and all signals point towards either a January or summer exit.
However, it may not be a wise decision. Long’s limitations are clear for all to see, and have been in the past decade across different top-flight clubs. Despite this, though, he is a useful player to have on the bench.
Long pressed with intelligence and structure under Hasenhuttl towards the end of last season; his work ethic off the ball has never come into question, but he was running with a purpose following the Austrian’s appointment.
On the ball, he is, of course, still underwhelming, and perhaps this has led to Hasenhuttl preferring Michael Obafemi to Long as his backup for Danny Ings and Che Adams.
Regardless of where Long fits in on the pecking order, keeping him around for this season, at the very least, is probably wise. Ings and Obafemi are both somewhat prone to lengthy injuries, and having the 32-year-old in reserve may prove to be useful as the campaign progresses.
