Cup hero Shane longing for more goals
Anthony Smith • Published 14 Jan 2010 13:00
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SHANE Long is confident he can build on his FA Cup heroics at Liverpool start filling Kevin Doyle's boots.
Long won a penalty then scored his first goal of the season as Royals deservedly knocked out Rafa Benitez's star-studded in the third round replay at Anfield.
And Reading's stunning 2-1 win was their first ever at the Reds' famous ground to set up a fourth round home tie against Burnley on Saturday week (12.45pm ko).
Long also hopes his display will kick-start what has been a disappointing season for the 24-year-old since he inherited Republic of Ireland team-mates Doyle's No.9 shirt at the beginning of the campaign.
"I've had my problems so far this season, what with injuries, a suspension and not scoring a goal," admitted Long. "But hopefully this is a kick in the backside to get a few more goals under my belt.
"I took a big number from Kevin Doyle and I'd like do my best to come in and fill his boots.
"It's been hard so far but I feel I can do the job and hopefully this is the start of things to come."
Royals were going out when Liverpool led through an unfortunate Ryan Bertrand own goal on the stroke of half-time.
But boss Brian McDermott made an inspired substitution by replacing Jem Karacan with Long with nine minutes left on the clock.
And it proved a masterstroke as Long won a penalty in injury time which ice-cool Gylfi Sigurdsson brilliantly converted to take the tie to extra time.
Then in the 100th minute Long headed home what proved to be an historic winner from Brynjar Gunnarsson pin-point cross.
"It's been a long time coming, but it was a nice feeling scoring it - and hopefully it's a sign of things to come," added Long.
"We had a few chances where we couldn't find the back of the net and people were probably thinking 'oh no, here we go again'.
"We'd dominated the game but I thought it wasn't going to be our night again. We felt unlucky not to come away with at least a draw at half time.
"But we got it back and Gylfi took a great penalty. He's 20 years of age and to score a penalty like that Anfield is great credit to him.
"We dug deep and I think we got our just rewards at the end."
And Long paid tribute to makeshift right-back Gunnarsson, who skinned Emiliano Insua before delivering the perfect cross for his winning goal.
"Brynjar was different quality," he argued. "I think he showed how well an experienced midfield player can play the role of right back.
"He defended superbly and then he got forward to put a great ball straight on my head - it basically said 'here you go Shane, finish that' And I was delighted to oblige."
The shock result piled more misery on Reds boss Benitez though by contrast it certainly improved Brian McDermott's chances of landing the full-time manager's job with Reading.
The club's temporary boss beamed: "Everybody did the club proud. The staff have been terrific, and what can I say about the players? They were fabulous, fantastic.
"In all honesty, I thought we deserved to win the game. We had chances, we could have scored from good crosses but the key is to keep getting yourself in those areas.
"To go to Anfield, score twice and win in 120 minutes is just a real testament to those players out there."
Around 400 Reading fans braved the snowy conditions to be an Anfield and McDermott added: "It's one of those occasions to say 'I was there when Reading won at Anfield.'
"A fantastic effort to get here and I'm sure they won't mind how long it took to get back.
"I'm also chuffed for the chairman, first and foremost he's a fan and it is great for him."
Reading return to Championship action this Saturday with a trip to in-form Nottingham Forest (3pm ko).
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