NATHAN Redmond moved on from his point-blank miss as “a professional player should do” says Ralph Hasenhuttl, despite it being a “big chance” in the 2-2 draw with Burnley.
Saints were in the ascendancy despite trailing Burnley deep into the first-half, as Tino Livramento ran riot down the right-hand side creating chances.
One of those chances fell to Redmond, who put Armando Broja’s winner against Leeds United on a plate last weekend, at the back-post.
Fizzed in by the 18-year-old full-back, Redmond was a matter of four or five yards from goal but saw his effort at goal ping wide of the woodwork to goalkeeper Nick Pope’s relief.
Redmond has been cited as a leader in the group and someone who helps nurture the younger players, so his reaction to such a critical moment would be key – and Saints managed to claw back the deficit minutes later.
There’s no time to think about this situation anymore (in a Premier League game),” Hasenhuttl said.
“You have to concentrate on the next one. That’s what a professional player has to do and that is what he did today.
“He knows it’s a big chance and he should have scored in the moment, but he didn’t, so this is what is he is a little bit lacking of this season, the final goal to score.
He added: “But he is an important player for our game and the score will come.”
The striking partnership between Redmond and Broja has been able to create chances in the last two, while Adam Armstrong and Che Adams are waiting on the bench to be called upon.
Asked if he likes the pairing together, Hasenhuttl insisted: “Absolutely, they both have quality on the ball, both can run deep. I’m happy that these guys can score (as a pair).”
Saints will have been left disappointed by the result, and should have claimed all three points.
