MX23RW : Wednesday, April 2 05:58:45| >> :120:31767:31767:

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman hints at Gaston Ramirez role

Ronald Koeman insists that out-of-favour Southampton playmaker Gaston Ramirez has a future at St Mary's.

Manager Ronald Koeman has refused to close the door on Gaston Ramirez's Southampton future.

The 24-year-old winger made his first Saints appearance in 13 months after coming on as a substitute in their 6-0 League Cup demolition of MK Dons on Wednesday.

It was reported earlier this month that the Uruguayan - who spent last season on loan with Hull City, who were relegated - could negotiate the cancellation of his contract, allowing him to move on a Bosman.

"Gaston is part of the team, is training well and his behaviour is positive. I'm the first person to give that kind of player a chance," the Dutch coach told a press conference. "I spoke to him before starting pre-season and for the first time he had a normal holiday. After seven or eight days he got an injury and lost three weeks of pre-season.

"He isn't the first choice but I know his qualities. He is technically a very good player and if he is physically on a good level why not? It's all about your performance the whole week and if you get the chance to play you need to show your qualities.

"Sometimes maybe it is a mental question for a player but he needs to be 100 per cent physically well to perform. Maybe the Premier League is too physical for that kind of player but technically he is a very good player."

Ramirez, who earns in the region of £65,000 a week, cost £12m from Bologna in 2012.

ID:248354: cacheID:248354:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2487:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Shane Long of Southampton (7) celebrates with Victor Wanyama (12) and Graziano Pelle (L) as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St James' Park on August 9, 2015
Read Next:
Preview: Southampton vs. Everton
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal301710355253061
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest30176750351557
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham3012994440445
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd30107133741-437
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham3097143350-1734
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves3085174158-1729
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!