Milestones

Long receives Milestone for reaching half-century

25 Apr 2019

Southampton striker reflects on his career after being given special award for scoring 50 Premier League goals

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Before he entered the Premier League record books on Tuesday, Shane Long received another award for his goalscoring feats in the competition.

The Southampton striker struck the Premier League's fastest goal ever in the midweek 1-1 draw at Watford, scoring after only 7.69 seconds.

That was the Irishman's 52nd goal in the Premier League, scored for four different clubs across 291 appearances.

To mark his passing of the half-century Long received a Premier League Milestone award, presented by Cadbury.

Long is only the fourth player from Ireland to reach the mark, after Niall Quinn, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff.

Helping Long to receive his award was Chris How, a Saints Foundation adult disability participant.

The milestone got Long thinking back to when his Premier League journey started at Reading in 2006/07 in a match for the side just promoted and coming shortly after he had left Cork City for the club.

Premier League Milestones, Shane Long
Shane Long received his award after scoring 50 Premier League goals across four clubs, Reading, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Southampton

"Slightly nervous," the 32-year-old says when asked how he felt on the PL debut. "I was young and only a year over here in England.

"I was excited obviously. It was a big step for me and where I came from and my whole family.

"It's something to be proud of."

As for a goal that stood out the most from the 52 Long has scored in the Premier League, beating a compatriot from distance at St Mary's Stadium was his top pick.

"My favourite was for Southampton when we beat Aston Villa," he says. "It was against Shay Given from about 30-35 yards."

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