Ralph Hasenhuttl has hailed workhorse striker Shane Long as vital to Southampton's recent resurgence.
Former Liverpool hitman Danny Ings has hogged all the plaudits with 14 Premier League goals, and 10 in his last 11 matches, as Saints have dragged themselves out of the relegation mire.
But Saints manager Hasenhuttl has insisted that Ireland forward Long is just as important to his side’s fine run of form.
“Shane Long is a really important player for us,” said Hasenhuttl.
“He’s doing so well for us, he’s always there, working so hard and he’s so well-liked by the squad.
“He wants to play to the end and you can feel he’s not resting with his energy on the pitch, he wants to leave everything out there on the pith.
“And it’s a massive help for me because he’s never saving energy, he’s giving everything knowing that he will be spent when he comes off.”
Long’s searing pace has proved a feature of Southampton squads since his arrival at St Mary’s in 2014, but the former West Brom and Hull forward has struggled to maintain a central role in his south coast years.
The 32-year-old has several times appeared on the brink of a Saints exit, but is enjoying a renaissance under Hasenhuttl, with the Austrian boss hugely impressed.
“He’s an unbelievable wall player for us, and that gives you another chance to keep heaping pressure on the opponent,” said Hasenhuttl.
“He’s very strong in the aerial duels and that can squeeze opponents.
“What I like too is he knows exactly when to go and when to stop, because this is sometimes not so easy for a player.
“It is all this kind of work that makes him so important for us.”
