Hodgson passion swings it for Long

SHANE LONG could have signed for other clubs and earned more money but he was influenced by Roy Hodgson and the kind of football he promised he would be playing at West Brom.

“I heard of their interest a long time ago,” he said. “There were a few Championship clubs interested and I didn’t want to disrespect Reading.

“A few Premier League managers got involved as well — what swayed me was Roy Hodgson and his experience.”

“Clubs were seen to be offering more money but it is not all about money.”

A few minutes in the company of 64-year-old Hodgson you discover that the former Inter Milan coach loves football and Long has found his ways infectious.

“When I talked to him and the ideas he had in mind and how the club was going to advance it really excited me about playing for him,” said the former Tipp minor hurler.

Long knew where to go for advice and questioned former Reading and Ireland colleagues about the midlands and Hodgson.

He said: “I asked Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt about living in Birmingham. I got in touch with Duffer (Damien Duff who worked with Hodgson at Fulham) about the manager.

“I came over to Kevin with Reading and went into the academy for the first six months and ever since I have been trying to emulate what he has been doing,” he said. “He’s a great player.”

When suggested that he could score more goals than his mentor this season, Long said: “It is not down to goals, he does so much work for the team. It is not about who scores it is about winning.’’