Shane Long had plenty to say about the next generation of Irish players navigating big decisions this summer, and he spoke with real feeling to BOYLE Sports about Mason Melia and Evan Ferguson . Both are at a crossroads in their careers, and Long drew on his own experience to explain what kind of move each of them needs right now.
The question of Seamus Coleman's future also produced one of the interview's most heartfelt passages. Long knows Coleman as well as anyone in Irish football and spoke about him not just as a player but as a human being, explaining why any promoted club that lands him will get far more than a right back.
James McClean's boxing talks produced one of the most entertaining answers of the entire interview, with Long not hesitating to nominate Robbie Brady as the ideal opponent. He also gave his honest survival verdict on the three promoted clubs, picking Coventry as the team best placed to stay up while raising concerns about the others.
Mason Melia
Melia's Big Summer
Mason Melia next season? It depends on the manager. It could be an exciting story for Tottenham , having a player from the academy break into the first team; it could give the club a lift. I do not know if De Zerbi is known for bringing through younger players; he might just make a few signings. If that is the case, then a loan option is the best thing. Relegation would have been amazing for him because all the big players would have left.
It was the same at Reading when I first came over. We went down one season, and then all the senior players left. That is when I kind of broke through, around twenty or twenty-one years of age, and it opened up that opportunity for me. It would have been the same for him. He is a goal scorer, and I am sure being called up into the Ireland squad is brilliant for him.
This summer is going to be big for him to make up his mind. He is used to playing football; it is different because he was playing week in, week out in Ireland , so a loan move to the Championship would be good for him. Like Troy Parrott , he is a goal scorer, a gifted player, so hopefully, he gets the right move that can really showcase what he can do.
Transfer Talk
Ferguson's Celtic Option
Celtic could be an exciting option for Evan Ferguson . Three years ago, he was the young player of the year at Brighton and clubs like Manchester United were looking at him. I know injuries played a part, but he went to Roma , and it has not really happened. He was only on loan and is back at Brighton now. He needs to come back flying in pre-season. It is a shame because he has a lot of quality; it is just a matter of confidence at the moment.
Celtic is a massive club; it is not somewhere you can go just to try and find your feet. You need to go in there and score. Any striker there is going to get loads of chances, so it could build his confidence back. A manager like Robbie Keane would be a great partnership for him as well if he was there. He just needs that arm around him to get that confidence. As a striker, everyone goes through that stage where they are really struggling, really doubting themselves, and you just need a manager who fully trusts in you to help get that trust back in yourself.
Finn Azaz's Future
I think Southampton will do well to keep hold of Finn Azaz ; he would be a big asset to Coventry City . I am sure he has got ten or eleven goals this season. I have been down to a few Southampton games as well, and just the way he moves with the ball, the way he carries the ball forward and gets defence into attack so quickly, he has been brilliant. But I think it was only his first season. With everything that is going on at the club, it might be hard to keep him. There are a lot of players there that they will be doing well to hold onto.
Coventry
Coleman To Coventry?
He has been linked to Wrexham , but Coventry City could be a smart move for Seamus . He can definitely carry on; it just depends on Seamus and how his body feels. He had a bad leg break when I was playing with him for Ireland and has had a few niggling injuries since. He constantly works to return to fitness, plays, and then gets injured again, so I am sure he will do what is best for him, his body, and his family.
Seamus is one of the most genuine people you would ever meet. Everything about him is focused on wanting the team and the club to do well, and he never puts himself ahead of the team. He is a great leader as well. I am sure any team promoted into the Premier League would love to have him for his experience alone and his leadership skills. I have yet to meet a person who has a bad word to say about Seamus Coleman ; he is that sort of character.
I am sure Frank Lampard has seen firsthand what an amazing guy he is. Having someone like Seamus in the dressing room to provide that experience and keep the group going would be vital. It is like having your own little manager on the pitch. He obviously has quality as well; if he is fit enough to play, he is an addition to any side.
Coventry Best Placed To Survive
Playoff winners can struggle, but look at Sunderland ; teams can surprise you. But looking at the squads as a whole, you would worry for Hull . Coventry look very, very good. Ipswich, they are a bit of a yo-yo team. The thing about Coventry is that their stadium is around 32,000 to 33,000, and they will sell that out. This will give them a boost to the income to be able to buy decent players to keep them in the league.
They have got a good manager and have dominated the Championship this year, so the confidence is there. I fancy Coventry to do well. Sunderland might find that Europe is not a good thing for them. They might struggle in the league because of the relentless Thursday-Sunday schedule, which takes a lot out of the squad. Surely Tottenham cannot finish seventeenth again.
Brady Vs McClean
James McClean's boxing debut? If I had to pick an ex-player, who do I think would be a good fight? Him and Seamus were very close, so that would be funny. I would put Robbie Brady in there. He is a hardy man; he is speedy as well, and he is quick. That would be a good fight, and I think you would have to knock Robbie down sixteen times before he would finally give up.
He would just keep coming back for more. I do not know much about James McClean and his boxing career, but I can see it; he used to train like mad. We would train non-stop, and then he would come back into the gym and do ten kilometres on a treadmill just because he had so much energy. I can see him going into boxing and having that winning mentality.
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
Behind every great sporting moment is a story worth telling. The BOYLE Sports Editorial team sits down with the most relevant names in sport for candid conversations, genuine insight, and the kind of access that brings you closer to the real stories behind the headlines.
