Shane Long revealed that an ’embarrassing’ moment under Stephen Kenny almost made him storm out of the Ireland camp.
The Reading striker appeared on his wife’s new podcast ‘Kay and Ash: Share Your Voice‘, to talk about his footballing highs and lows.
When asked to talk about the lowest point in his career, Long told a story about how he was embarrassed by Ireland manager Kenny and almost stormed out.
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“It was late in my Ireland career.” The 36-year-old said.
“So obviously when you come into the ranks you get a high number in the Ireland squad. You kind of earned your number in the squad.
“And after Kevin (Doyle) had gone to America and left international football I was given the number nine shirt.
“I was so proud to have that number and I had it for years.”
Long then revealed how hurt and surprised he was when he was asked to give his shirt number to Adam Idah.
He continued: “He (Kenny) wanted to start a new tradition of welcoming new players.”
The “new tradition” involved older players presenting newcomers with their first Irish jersey and introducing them to the team, which Long thought was a “great idea” at the time.
“So Seamus Coleman steps up I think he had Dara O’Shea and gives him the number 23 jersey.
“Randolph steps up I think it was Caoimhin Kelleher he gave the jersey to, another high number.
“And then I stepped up and it was Adam Idah, and I was delighted because obviously he’s from Cork City, he’s a bit of a culchie like myself.
“So I gave a speech and I held up the shirt, and on the back it was number 9.
“I remember just handing that jersey over and I just wanted to storm out of that room.
“And if it was at club level I would have left that would have been me gone.
“That was a manager making a statement.”