#PLStories- Yan Valery explains Shane Long’s hidden Southampton importance #SAINTSFC

YAN Valery plays up the importance of Shane Long to Saints’ squad and exclaims: “Seriously, he is like the best. He’s always there encouraging and giving us ways to get better.” The 22-year-old Frenchman stole the spotlight on his first Premier League start of the season with a solid defensive performance against in-form Tottenham Hotspur, during the 1-1 draw at St Mary’s. But veteran forward Long, 34, was also making a surprising first start for Ralph Hasenhuttl in the league this campaign, following less successful substitute cameos versus Wolves and Crystal Palace. The Irishman is an experienced professional with 334 Premier League appearances and 55 goals to his name, as well having nearly received 100 caps from his country across a senor career that started with Cork City in 2005. Shane Long made his first start of the Premier League season versus Tottenham Hotspur (Pic: Stuart Martin) It’s experience that Valery insists he’s using to pass down to a relatively young and still developing Saints squad. “Seriously, he is actually like the best,” the defender revealed. “Even without the gametime, he is always there encouraging, giving us some help, giving us some ways to get better. The fastest goal in #PL history 💨Take a bow, Shane Long 👏#GoalOfTheDay | @SouthamptonFC pic.twitter.com/iOg4ytWu8c — Premier League (@premierleague) December 30, 2021 “And then even today on the pitch, after not having any gametime this season, you can tell that he was fighting until the end, winning all the heading, he was just superb for us and he’s the best.” Based on what has been exhibited in recent appearances, with no Premier League notch since February 2020 and just two Championship strikes since then in a stint with Bournemouth, it is no surprise that a few supporters grimaced when seeing Hasenhuttl’s makeshift lineup. Shane Long had a loan stint with Championship side Bournemouth (Pic: PA)   His inclusion was likely not even part of the plan, with Che Adams expected to make a start after his brief return at West Ham - but the Scot was ruled out with a positive COVID test at 10PM the night before. Long instead delivered a valuable service that fell just short of finding the net himself, winning eight/10 of his aerial duels and producing some tidy play in the opposition half to give 10-man Saints an occasional breather. As president of the Shane Long fan club I'm fully behind him today. — Saints Pins (@saintspins) December 28, 2021 “He did superbly,” Valery added, assessing the frontman’s performance. “Like I said he was winning the balls in front, we needed him there. “He was so strong against the centre-backs, I’m sure if you ask the Tottenham centre-backs they can tell you it was a really hard game against him, so yeah he did it superbly against them.” Shane Long also featured in the EFL Cup at Chelsea this season (Pic: PA) Long’s Saints contract is due to expire at the end of this campaign and it is unlikely a new deal will be on the horizon. However, Hasenhuttl recently confirmed that he believes no player wants to leave Saints during the January window so it looks like Long may remain as a back-up until the conclusion of his deal.