Southampton boss Ronald Koeman: 'Shane Long is now a complete striker'

Shane Long celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United on April 9, 2016
© Getty Images
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman praises Shane Long for becoming a complete striker over the past season.

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has praised Shane Long's development over the past year.

The 29-year-old has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, which is double his tally from the 2014-15 campaign.

"I remember when Shane came, I think in all aspects he has learnt a lot," the Daily Mail quotes Koeman as saying. "We did a lot with Shane in a lot of aspects of football and I think he is more complete as a player, as a striker.

"His pace, his timing, his movements are full of confidence. It is a big example that you can still learn when you are 26, 27, 28. You can learn every day. It is a big example of how you can develop with the help of coaches and that is nice to see."

The Saints are unbeaten in their last four top-flight games.

Ronald Koeman during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Southampton on April 23, 2016
Read Next:
Koeman delighted with Saints performance
>
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester372311367353280
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs371913568303870
3Arsenal371911761362568
4Manchester CityMan City371981070403065
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd371891046341263
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham371614764491562
7Southampton371791155401560
8Liverpool3716111062491359
9Chelsea371213125852649
10Stoke CityStoke37139153954-1548
11Swansea CitySwansea371210154151-1046
12Everton371014135655144
13Watford37128173848-1044
14Crystal Palace37119173847-942
15West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom371012153347-1442
16Bournemouth37119174464-2042
17Sunderland37911174660-1438
18Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37810193964-2534
19Norwich CityNorwich3797213964-2534
RAston Villa3738262772-4517