Shane Long 'accepts' previous omissions from Ireland squad | OneFootball

After barely being a part of the Southampton side until December, Shane Long has regained his old form and earned starts in nine of the club’s last 12 games.

Ireland’s Euro 2020 play-offs are set to take place next month, with the Irish side facing Slovakia in the semis and potentially the winner of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Ireland in the final.

Though he’s registered an incredible 82 caps for the national side, he has yet to be selected since Mick McCarthy took over late in 2018.

With his string of impressive performances, the 33-year-old is keen to get in the squad to help Ireland clinch their third-straight berth in the European Championships.

“It’s massive for me,” he told Southampton’s official website.

“Obviously not being in the squad here, the manager of Ireland decided to pick players who were playing at club level and I was overlooked.

“I spoke to him about it, we kept it very civil, he told me his reasons and I accepted that.

“It was tough because I was really looking forward to it at the time and I needed that game time. I wanted something to clear my head because I wasn’t involved here, so that was a killer blow for me.

“I think it was the first squad since I’ve got into the Ireland team where I’ve been fit but not selected. It was tough for me to take – another body blow, as I say, but I’ve got over it.

“I’m still in touch with the manager – we haven’t fallen out or anything. He keeps texting when I’m playing, saying ‘good game today’ and keeping me encouraged.

“It’s about keeping my place in the squad so when it does come to picking that Ireland team I am involved because they’re massive games.

“I pride myself on playing for my country. I love playing for Ireland so I want to do everything I can to get into that next squad,” Long added.

“To get the winning goal that could send us to the Euros against Northern Ireland would be something I’d be very proud of.”

Since McCarthy took charge of the national team, Ireland has played 10 times – winning five, drawing four, and losing just once.