Shane Long

**Noelys Guitar** · 30/05/2011, 2:48 PM

What a miss. Still think he'll score in the second half and Reading will stage some type of comeback.

**Noelys Guitar** · 30/05/2011, 2:58 PM

Jay Tabb sent off for something he said to the ref in the tunnel. without kicking a ball!

**jbyrne** · 30/05/2011, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

0-3 now.

2-3 now

**drummerboy** · 30/05/2011, 4:31 PM

Long was very poor today. Didn't get a kick.

**elroy** · 30/05/2011, 4:33 PM

Beaten 4-2, gutted for them, really thought they would get promoted. Will be interesting to see what happens with the likes of Long now this summer.

**Serb** · 30/05/2011, 4:34 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Long was very poor today. Didn't get a kick.

Seemed like the whole Reading team fell apart for this one, especially Khizanishvili. I'd be hopeful that a Premier League side will pick up Long in the pre-season, he seems good enough to step up. Fingers crossed for him anyway.

**tetsujin1979** · 30/05/2011, 4:41 PM

Neil Lennon was in the crowd today, and I believe he was at the semifinal as well. Wonder who's he is considering a bid for?

**Noelys Guitar** · 30/05/2011, 5:00 PM

I'm sure Wolves will be in for him (and very probably Swansea, Qpr, Everton and Fulham). I can see Hunt getting a move to the Premiership as well.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 30/05/2011, 6:45 PM

SL been consistently linked over the last two months with Newcastle and Celtic, with occ. Liverpool, according to the 'BBC Gossip column'.

Everton have no money, so unlikely to be them, unsure about the other 'lesser' PL clubs named.
Noel Hunt would be more likely to go to one of them, but can't see him lasting more than a season or two in the current EPL.

**Kingdom** · 30/05/2011, 10:55 PM

It's been said that there's a �5m deal done in principal with a top half Premier League team. Whether that comes to pass or not is a different story.

**gastric** · 30/05/2011, 11:35 PM

With Everton selling Yakubu, they might possibly use the money to buy Long. I still reckon this would be abrilliant move for him.

**Sullivinho** · 30/05/2011, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by gastric

With Everton selling Yakubu, they might possibly use the money to buy Long. I still reckon this would be abrilliant move for him.

Agreed, I'd ideally like to see him heading there.

Sunderland are very light up front too so I could see them making a move.

**TiocfaidhArmani** · 31/05/2011, 6:36 AM

'I'm aware of Celtic's interest in Shane Long,' Madejski said. 'Neil Lennon has been watching him for three games now. He's been at our past two games and he was here again. We are still to hear anything official from Celtic but it's obvious they are interested.

'How confident am I we can ward off Celtic's interest? Not very.

'It's sad that we didn't get promoted because Shane would have liked to stay at Reading if we had reached the Premier League. But that has changed because we will be in the Championship.'

Should Lennon land his top strike target, Madejski believes he will be getting a player who will take the SPL by storm.

He added: 'Shane is world-class. What is the value I would place on him? �20m. Now we will just have to see what happens with him.

'As well as being a great player, he's a lovely lad. If Celtic are to land him, they will be privileged indeed because he's just a super player and a super individual.

'He has all the right credentials to go to the very top of the game. He's hard working and extremely cool in front of goal. I don't know if he will end up at Celtic but what is certain is that he will not be at Reading next season.'

**jbyrne** · 31/05/2011, 3:24 PM

if they want �20m for him he wont be going to celtic. thank god

**boovidge** · 31/05/2011, 3:28 PM

I don't think a Celtic move would be too disastrous, if he's playing regularly and bagging goals it'll only be good for his confidence for Ireland.

**Duggie** · 31/05/2011, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by boovidge

I don't think a Celtic move would be too disastrous, if he's playing regularly and bagging goals it'll only be good for his confidence for Ireland.

Celtic is a massive club and a huge draw for us irish but the SPL outside the top 2 is dire. hed prob be better of in the championship if he dosent move. hopefully he can get a club where he plays regularly but even the top strikers out there nowadays arent guaranteed a spot anymore. I seen west brom mentioned, that would be a good one. long and the nigerian odinwengie would be a good partnership.

**paul_oshea** · 31/05/2011, 3:34 PM

Has shane come off the boil a bit in the last month?

**Duggie** · 31/05/2011, 3:40 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Has shane come off the boil a bit in the last month?

hopefully he back on the boil sat night. i presume he will start in front of cox?

**jbyrne** · 31/05/2011, 3:40 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Has shane come off the boil a bit in the last month?

based on the 2nd leg of the semi final vs cardiff, no

**TiocfaidhArmani** · 31/05/2011, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by Duggie

Celtic is a massive club and a huge draw for us irish but the SPL outside the top 2 is dire. hed prob be better of in the championship if he dosent move. hopefully he can get a club where he plays regularly but even the top strikers out there nowadays arent guaranteed a spot anymore. I seen west brom mentioned, that would be a good one. long and the nigerian odinwengie would be a good partnership.

European football with Celtic as well, which can only be a good thing. I'd have him instead of Stokes.