Ralph Hasenhuttl ‘positive’ Southampton’s star man Danny Ings will stay at the club

Ralph Hasenhuttl says he is ‘positive’ Southampton talisman Danny Ings will stay at the club and insists keeping him is ‘important’ after ace returned to action with brace in win against Crystal Palace

  • Danny Ings made his injury return in Southampton’s victory over Crystal Palace 
  • Saints’ top scorer Ings netted twice at St Mary’s and is linked with a move away 
  • But Ralph Hasenhuttl says he is ‘positive’ Southampton will be able to keep Ings 
  • Ings’ clinical nature and his influence over the team were lauded by Hasenhuttl 

Ralph Hasenhuttl is ‘positive’ Southampton can keep hold of star man Danny Ings following the striker’s clinical match-winning display against Crystal Palace.

Saints top scorer Ings celebrated his return from a two-game injury absence by scoring twice – including his 100th goal in club football – as Saints came from behind to beat the Eagles 3-1.

The England international, who had been sidelined with a hamstring problem, has a year remaining on his existing contract and has been repeatedly linked with a move away from St Mary’s.

Ralph Hasenhuttl says he is ‘positive’ Southampton will be able to keep star man Danny Ings

Manager Hasenhuttl admits Southampton are ‘a different side’ when Ings plays and remains confident a new deal will be agreed.

‘He knows that we want him to stay with us as long as he wants. For us, it’s important that he stays with us,’ said Hasenhuttl.

‘I am also positive that it will happen, maybe not now but maybe we will find in the next few months a chance to make this happen.

Saints boss Hasenhuttl (above) insisted it is important to keep Ings for his goalscoring ability

Saints boss Hasenhuttl (above) insisted it is important to keep Ings for his goalscoring ability

‘With Danny we are a different side because he makes the chances we need to score and sometimes also goals when you don’t think there is a chance. The first goal was fantastic from him.

‘And this is why he is important for us.’

Southampton’s fourth top-flight victory of a difficult 2021 moved them to 14th in the table, a point and a place behind their opponents.