Kevin Doyle has warned Ireland fans to write Shane Long off at their peril and claims he can be Ireland’s go to man in Euro qualifying.
Long, 32, notched his 50th Premier League goal when opening the scoring for Southampton in Friday’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
It was just his second of the campaign and matches last season’s entire haul, while it’s two-and-a-half years since his last strike for Ireland.
But Doyle believes his former Reading team-mate and Ireland colleague now has the bit between his teeth to put years of frustration behind him.
“Shane hasn't had a good year-and-a-half, since the Euros really,” said ex-Ireland striker Doyle yesterday.
“He went into the Euros top of the world, so full of form. It happens, but that’ll be a big weight off his shoulder, his 50th Premier League goal.
“Reaching a milestone like that, what an achievement. That’ll give you confidence and I can see him having a strong end to the season.”
Doyle continued: “If you're a manager, you’d always want him because he can change a game and has pace.
“Starting against Liverpool - one of the two best teams in the Premier League - and scoring, it should be a nice kickstart.
“I always felt when Shane had confidence and was playing well, he was as good as any striker.
“He had a tough time playing for Ireland. It can’t have helped him, but the club form would have been the main thing in his head.
“If he can sort his club form then the international stuff sorts itself.”
Long missed Mick McCarthy’s first games in charge after a groin injury in training ahead of the Gibraltar match.
He was not a guaranteed starter but was in the mix as Ireland’s search for a prolific scorer continues.
Doyle said: “Hopefully between now and Denmark he can get a little run. If he plays as well as he did before the Euros, he’s as good as any Ireland striker - ever.
“He mightn’t have Robbie’s goalscoring record but you’d hate to mark him. And if he can add the goals he was getting a few years ago, then…”
A new generation of striker is emerging in the shape of Tottenham prospect Troy Parrott and also Norwich’s Adam Idah.
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But while they boast big reputations, Doyle feels that’s all it is until they do the business in respective first teams.
“They have to get into their club team and it’s not easy,” added Doyle who is part of Ireland’s U17s staff ahead of next month’s Euro finals for which Parrott is still eligible.
“Shane Long has just got his 50th Premier league goal. He has as good a touch as anyone when his confidence is on and he can score when he’s confident.
“He keeps getting chances. If he misses them, he misses them. He didn’t look to be hiding, it was just a horrible run of form and hopefully that will change.”
Kevin Doyle launched the new and improved Aviva Stadium Tour, where fans get a unique behind-the-scenes experience of what match day is like for internationals
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