Determined Ryan Bertrand lifted the lid on his switch to right-back against Manchester City.
Ryan Bertrand said “I’ll play anywhere for the team.
The experienced left-back was moved to the opposite flank for Saints’ clash against Pep Guardiola’s side at Etihad Stadium – as boss Ralph Hasenhuttl opted to rest Kyle Walker-Peters. Centre-half Mohammed Salisu slotted into Bertrand’s left-back spot, with defender Jack Stephens also recalled to feature in midfield. Saints started brightly against the league leaders at Etihad Stadium but were eventually made to suffer a 5-2 reverse. Asked about his transition to the right side of the back four, Bertrand told the Daily Echo: “It wasn’t too bad. I am experienced enough and I do my role to achieve my objectives on the field for the team.
Ryan Bertrand said “That’s what I was focused on – it didn’t go too bad. It felt all right and I’ll play anywhere for the team to be honest, wherever it may be I’ll go out and give my best. We had a few changes in the team, so it was always going to need a near-on perfect game. But we started well, especially in the first 20 minutes or so. Unfortunately, they scored some goals that were probably avoidable a little bit. The game doesn’t really truly reflect it (the score) but we will dust ourselves off and look forward to the weekend.”
Hasenhuttl made six alterations to his line-up in total against City, potentially with one eye keenly on Sunday’s home showdown against Brighton. And the manager insisted he found some solutions regarding alternative options.
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “For me, I had a few answers. For example – if Sali can play left-back? And I must say yes, it was okay. In the offence maybe he is not the biggest threat but in the defence he was absolutely okay against an unbelievably strong player. Ryan on the right side, yeah, it’s not perfect. He knows this but it’s an alternative for the future, definitely. Jack on the six, as long as he had the power, he was also okay. We tried a few things and for this it was okay.”
Saints are currently seven points clear of the drop-zone in the Premier League, with 10 league contests in their season remaining.
