Long's Premier League ambition
Anthony Smith • Published 5 Apr 2011 11:30
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SHANE Long is refusing to rule out a move to the Premier League - but he insists his burning ambition is to get there with Reading.
The 24-year-old striker scored both goals in Saturday's 2-0 home win against Portsmouth to take his club tally to 22 for the season.
And with three further Republic of Ireland goals to his name this campaign, Long continues to be linked with a string of top-flight clubs including Wolves and West Brom.
But the in-form hitman says the prospect of leaving the Madejski Stadium has not even crossed his mind.
Long, who signed a new contract recently until summer 2012, declared: "I think I'm performing well in the Championship and obviously the next step is the Premier League. I want to test myself against the best players in the world.
"But that's a long way away and all I'm looking for now is the next three points for Reading."
Saturday's victory lifted Brian McDermott's side up to sixth and into the Championship play-offs for the first time this season.
However, Long was more cautious when asked whether he may be forced to move on for the sake of his career should Reading fail to secure promotion.
"That's a hard question to answer," admitted the bargain signing from Cork City. "Obviously I want to play at the highest level but all I want to do is concentrate on the next game for Reading and take things as they come. I'm enjoying my football here, I get on well with the lads and my sole ambition is to get the Premier League with Reading."
The victory over Portsmouth stretched Reading's unbeaten run to eight matches and Long believes that if that continues they could even snatch the second automatic promotion spot behind champions-elect QPR.
"I'm enjoying my football at the moment and the games and the goals are coming thick and fast so long may that continue," he said. "We're going the right way about things and all of a sudden second place doesn't look far away.
"We've set our expectations high and aim for that second position so wherever we finish will be a bonus."
And he added: "Portsmouth was a massive win for us and we knew it would put us right up there. We went up to sixth and things are going well at the moment."
Long's brace on Saturday means he is the first Reading player to score 20 league goals or more in a season since former strike partners Jamie Cureton and Martin Butler both managed it 10 years ago.
And despite the growing interest around Long's future, McDermott appears unconcerned: "I am not thinking about losing Long or any other players next season," he argued. "All we can do is train and worry about our next game.
"I think Shane has been on fire since the start of the season. He was playing well but not scoring whereas now he is getting the goals as well.
"We spoke about how good he is in the air. I could play him centre half because he won all the first headers from their corners, but I am not going to do that."
Reading can close close the gap on fifth-placed Leeds United tonight when they host in-form Preston North End in a re-arranged fixture at Madejski Stadium (8pm ko).
The Chronicle will bring you LIVE coverage of that game.
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