Ruben Selles
The 28 year old was substituted for 16 year old academy starlet Sam Amo-Ameyaw after 87 minutes in front of his supporters at St Mary’s.
Ward-Prowse, on his 409th club appearance, had scored the first of his side’s four goals on the evening, seemingly wiping tears from his eyes as he left the pitch.
Selles, asked if the substitution was a goodbye,
Ruben Selles said: “It wasn’t a goodbye. Prowsey has been here for 20 years and is the captain. He deserved that moment with the crowd to end the season that hasn’t been easy. We didn’t think about what happens next.”
Theo Walcott confirmed ahead of the match that it would be his final appearance for the club, coming to the end of a contract in his second spell at the club. Walcott has made 82 appearances for Saints after emerging from the academy in 2005 and making a transfer to Arsenal the next year.
Ruben Selles added: “I have no bad words to speak about Theo Walcott, his performance and him as a person. He’s been an amazing professional for the club. Every time he plays he gives 100 per cent and he tries to make the other players better. He has been a threat for the opposition every time and he has been trying to do the very best for himself, for the club and for his teammates. So for me, it has been a blessing to coach a player like him and I personally wish him all the best.”
