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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Former Republic of Ireland international Richie Sadlier has shared his views on Shane Long’s exclusion from Mick McCarthy’s most recent squad.

The former Reading forward finds himself behind Danny Ings, Che Adams and even 19-year-old Michael Obafemi under Ralph Hasenhuttl at St Mary’s, and McCarthy cited Long’s lack of game time as the reason for him not being called up.

Following Long’s exclusion, Sadlier – who made 103 first-team appearances for Millwall and scored 34 goals – had some harsh words for the Saints striker.

What did he say?

Speaking on RTE Sport, Sadlier said: “I think it’s an indication of where Mick sees him in the pecking order.

“It’s been a while, I don’t hear many people clamouring for Shane Long to be included. It’s been a long time since I’ve looked at an Irish squad with Shane Long in it and thought, this is a goal threat.”

Comments should act as a wake-up call for Long

Long has been on the wrong trail for a while now.

He made just 12 Premier League starts last season, scoring five goals, and has only made a single substitute appearance so far this term in the league – academy graduate Obafemi also started ahead of him in the Carabao Cup game against Fulham.

One thing that hasn’t been taken away from him as a result, until now of course, was his place in the Republic of Ireland squad, although the fact that he has now been withdrawn should act as a wake-up call for the 32-year-old alongside Sadlier’s comments.

Whether that means he works even harder to impress Hasenhuttl and try to get a bit more game time, or asks for a move to get his career back on track, Long must do something in order to solve this sticky situation he finds himself in for the sake of his own career.

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