An Irish football man’s age-old dilemma

Roy Hodgson’s move from club to country has left Shane Long grappling with an age-old conflict of interests.

“Well, it’s a strange one,” the West Brom striker admits with a grin. “I’d like to see him do well as manager of England but I wouldn’t like to see England do well. It’s a weird one.

“He’s given me a text wishing me the best in the Euros and I want the same for him. It’s a job that he wanted for a long time and it’s thoroughly deserved. I hope it goes well for him because there couldn’t be a man that deserves it more.”