Shane Long is reaping the benefits of his hard work, according to Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The Republic of Ireland striker scored for the first time since April to help Saints to victory in a tireless performance at Leicester.

The pressure was on Long as the only fit and available senior striker heading into the game at the King Power Stadium and he delivered the goods.

Hasenhuttl said: “If you try to improve your game during the week in every session on the pitch then you can earn something on the weekend.

“He showed that he can be a very important part in this team because he was very hard to stop, he saved a lot of balls, was always working in the net and against the ball as long as possible.

“When he was finished then I take him off and can only congratulate him for a fantastic game.”

He added: “I think Shane was the best example of what we were demanding for today. Hard working, good defending and if you get the chance to kill them then do it.

“I know Shane has not the best finishing or didn’t score so much last time but in the Premier League before he has scored ten or 12 times.

“I want to bring him back in this shape like Reddy (Redmond) did when he scored.

“We had seven players missing because of Asia Cup or suspensions or injuries, but the team showed it is possible to win with this character and that gives me good signs for the future.”

It wasn’t such a good day for Yan Valery with the 19-year-old sent off just before half time after collecting a second yellow card.

“I think the atmosphere in that moment was a little bit too much for him and then the second yellow card was enough if he only warns him ‘next time you are going’ and then we can decide at half time and we can put him off the pitch,” admitted Hasenhuttl.

“I had no chance, it was too early then, and it makes this challenge very difficult.

“If you take such wins it can be a very big booster for us for the following weeks and maybe it was exactly what we need.”

The red card was quickly followed by the decisive second Saints goal from Long - remarkably his last four goals for the club have been under four different managers - that set the team on the way to victory.

“Without this second goal it would be very difficult to take something with one less,” reflected Hasenhuttl.

“It was an important step, absolutely, and you can imagine in the dressing room it was a very positive atmosphere in the break.

“We tried to give them a few examples how we can defend what will happen in the second half and I think they did it in a great manner.

“After ten minutes we changed Stuie and Cedric who did also a good job and it was defending with a lot of passion. It was fantastic.”