McDermott admits Reading cannot stop Long leaving
Sportsdesk • Published 6 Jun 2011 09:30
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READING manager Brian McDermott has admitted he may be powerless to stop star striker Shane Long leaving this summer.
The Irishman, who scored 25 times for Royals last season, has been linked with a move away from the Madejski after Reading failed to win promotion to the top flight.
Premier League clubs and SPL side Celtic are thought to be interested in securing Long's signature and McDermott acknowledged that it could be tough to keep hold of him.
"If a Premier League club comes in and we decide the deal is right and Shane wants to go there's nothing we can do," he said.
"It's important I do the right thing by him as well. For me he'll go down as a very special Reading player.
"Do I want to lose Shane Long? No, absolutely not.
"Last season we lost Gylfi Sigurdsson just before the transfer window shut and it took us a while to get over that - 12 or so games."
While Long's future is still unclear, McDermott paid tribute to former captain Ivar Ingimarsson, who left the club last week after his contract expired.
"It was right for him and it was right for the club. He wants to play week-in week-out and I understand that and the last thing I wanted would have been a frustrated Ivar around the place if he wasn't playing," he said.
"He's done a fantastic job for Reading over a five-year period. Steve Coppell said he was probably his best signing, which is a massive compliment to Ivar.
"So he'll move on with all our best wishes from the players and the staff and all the fans."
Meanwhile, Reading are reported to be one of three Championship clubs competing for the services of Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy.
The 30-year-old has been out on loan for the last season-and-a-half and is expected to leave the Stadium of Light this summer, with Ipswich, Reading and Crystal Palace all potential destinations for the experienced defender.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 08 Jun 11
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