O’Neill: Long needs a goal to kick-start season

Martin O’Neill thinks Shane Long will take the pressure associated with his €15 million move to Southampton in his stride but believes setting a target for the season would help the Tipperary man bridge the gap from being a scorer of great goals to a great scorer of goals.

“I just hope these things don’t start to play on him,” the Ireland manager said of Long’s frustrating debut for the Saints last Sunday, when he came off the bench against Liverpool, only to fluff a great chance to head home an equaliser from close range.

“Southampton, of course, have let a lot of players go, so the crowd are a wee bit restless at this minute, and if the goals are not flowing for Southampton, then everybody is going to come in for some criticism. Even somebody who has just joined the football club. So the sooner he gets off the mark, the better for confidence.”