Long: 'We were taught a lesson'
Sportsdesk • Published 8 Feb 2011 10:00
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Frustration: Royals striker Shane Long is crowded out by two Queens Park Rangers players during Friday's 1-0 home defeat.
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READING striker Shane Long admitted they were taught a harsh footballing lessons by champions elect Queens Park Rangers.
Royals had a gilt-edged chance to re-ignite their automatic promotion hopes in a mouthwatering 'hoops derby' at the Madejski Stadium.
But despite having a man sent off, Rangers ran out 1-0 winners on Friday night to open up a seven point lead at the top of the table.
It was Reading's third home defeat in the league this season, though Brian McDermott's men have fallen down to 11th position and are seven points adrift of the play-offs with a tough trip to fourth-placed Norwich City to come this Saturday (3pm ko).
And Long lamented: "It was a frustrating result for us, but that's football and we have to learn from it.
"That's the reason why QPR are top of the table, because when things aren't going their way they still manage to grab a win out of nothing.
"So we'll have to learn from the experience and try to take some positives from the game"
Long was a serious injury doubt for the mouthwatering fixture against Neil Warnock's visitors having limped out of Reading's 2-2 draw at Cardiff City last Tuesday just 10 minutes into the game with a hip injury.
However, he lasted the entire 90 minutes of Friday's televised clash thanks to a painkilling injection.
Now the 24-year-old is expected to start for the Republic of Ireland in tonight's Home Nations friendly against Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Long's Royals team-mates Simon Church and Hal Robson-Church could both start for Wales.
"I had a fitness test before the QPR game then the doctor gave me an injection to numb it up which wasn't very pleasant," added Long. "It's the first time I've had one and hopefully it will be the last because I don't really like needles.
"But these things need to be done to get me through a game and hopefully I will be fine for Ireland."
Long, who with 13 goals is Reading's top scorer this season, added: "You want to be fully fit playing in big games and especially against the top teams like QPR.
"Once the numbness goes and the injection wears off, I'm sure there will be a bit of pain, but I'll get on with it.
"Every now and again when I made certain movements I would feel the injury a bit. The adrenaline kind of gets you through the game."
Long was easily Reading's biggest threat on Friday night and was denied a possible in the second-half.
However, the striker had few complaints about the decision and the result.
"It was a delayed reaction, their player kicked me and I went down," he recalled. "But I think the referee was afraid to give it after the red card.
"But we can't make excuses. We should have already won the game earlier on and had the points in the bag."
Long was crowned the Republic of Ireland's Young International Player of the Year at the 21st FAI International Football Awards in Dublin on Sunday.
The ex-Cork City man hit 19 goals for club and country during 2010 and won high praise from Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni.
Wolves' former Reading striker Kevin Doyle was named the Republic of Ireland's senior player of the year.
Meanwhile, Reading's on-loan QPR midfielder Mikele Leigertwood was hit with a three-match ban after accepting a charge of violent conduct last week.
The 28-year-old was charged following his part in an on-field bust-up with Cardiff's players that also saw Craig Bellamy red carded.
Leigertwood missed the QPR game and is also suspended for the trips to Norwich City and Sheffield United.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 08 Feb 11
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