We gave Long a 2 year deal in the summer so he still has a year remaining. Hopefully we can get rid but no guarantee
Me and a mate always make a point of watching how much he moves up the pitch for a throw in. Swear he averages about 20 yards per throw. Been a good servant and a great player over the years for us including playing a big part in back to back European qualification. Agree that it's good time for all parties and it's nice to see it handled well; nice to have one of those departures for once.
Damn shame he leaves without seeing fans for a season and a half. Deserves a rousing ovation for his time at the club. I won’t ever forget him and tadic exchanging play on the left. It will be strange seeing another player in the LB position, can’t say more than that.
Great lad. Strong willed and knows his own mind. I wish him well and will miss his great attempts at time wasting / running down the clock when we needed it.
Great Ambassador for the Club and the Game and an object lesson on how to leave a Club with good grace and dignity (watch and learn "Nivea Boy"). Best of Luck for the future Ryan and thank's for the past mate.
I have read that Japhet Tanganga is a possible replacement, isn’t he a CB though? Or can he play LB as well?
I have nothing intelligent to say here, just my 100% support for signing a player with such a great name Finding a song won’t be a problem
Leicester City are interested in signing Southampton's English left-back Ryan Bertrand. The 31-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season after seven years with the Saints.(Leicester Mercury)
I'd be happy for him to get some European football, difficult to say if he would be first choice there though.
Cracking player who's been good for us over an extended period of time. Will be missed for sure. One of my favourite Ryan moments actually comes from him in an England shirt - scoring a goal and looking thoroughly pissed off about it.
Good luck for the future Ryan. A player with strong opinions but the complete professional. Right decision for both. Better to leave as friends. I feel Bertrand has lost a bit of pace this season so club is right only to offer a shorter contract. Bertrand has his future and family to think about so obviously wanted a longer contract. Shame club nor Bertrand could come to an agreement but Bertrand can leave knowing he has been one of Saints best ever left backs. I haven't seen a better one.
Quite a list though isn’t it All great for different reasons Benali Bridge Bale Shaw Bertrand Was Bridge better? Maybe The Bridge, CMFG partnership has to be our best ever left sided Duo The signs are that we won’t go far wrong if his replacement has the initials BWP
Family discussion about Lefties Mrs S has seen at Saints concluded that Danny Fox doesn’t make it into the top 10 ... ... and there aren’t even 10 of them I once met Bertie and Nat Clyne in the pisser, pissing about. They giggled and left