Crystal Palace v Hull City: Long keen to prove Hull were right to keep faith

The Republic of Ireland international will partner fellow January arrival, Nikica Jelavic, for the first time tonight as the Tigers chase precious Premier League points at Crystal Palace.

For Long, the wait for his Hull debut has been a protracted affair with a proposed move to the KC Stadium in the summer having collapsed at the eleventh hour.

When the call came through from West Brom to signal that the deal was off, Long had been at Hull’s Cottingham training base for several hours.

All the striker could do was shake hands with Hull manager Steve Bruce and return to the Ireland squad, with whom he had trained earlier in the day.

Even by the chaotic nature of transfer windows, it was a bizarre turn of events and one that was only put right 11 days ago when Long joined Hull for £6.5m.

“It was weird,” said the 27-year-old ahead of the trip to Selhurst Park. “I was away with Ireland and it was about 1pm when I went back to my room and had a voicemail from my agent. He said West Brom had accepted an offer and they had allowed me to go speak with Hull.

“I went over and heard what they had to say, had all the scans etc. But then it all fell through at about 10pm and the window closed at 11pm.

“I was waiting around, not really knowing what was happening. Then I went back to Ireland.

“The reason it fell through it turned out was (then manager) Steve Clarke wanted me to stay, but after he went I think West Brom wanted to sell.

“I was just lucky that Hull were still interested. After speaking to the lads here and Steve Bruce I knew it was the right move for me.”

Asked how things were left when he headed out of Cottingham on the night of September 2, Long replied: “It was strange. They knew it had nothing to do with me.

“Hull knew I wanted to sign because it is exciting times here.”

Long’s faith in how the Tigers would fare in the Premier League proved to be justified in the first half of the season. Hull had 23 points after 19 games and were sitting 10th in the table.

Three defeats later, they have fallen just one place but the gap between Bruce’s men and bottom club Cardiff City is down to just five points.

It is why tonight’s trip to Palace – the second of five in a row on the road against teams battling relegation – is so important.

Which is why Hull fans cannot wait to see Long and Jelavic link up for the first time.

For their part, the duo believe their respective styles will complement each other.

“I have had three or four training sessions now,” said Long, who was unable to make his debut alongside Jelavic in the 1-0 defeat to Norwich City on January 18 due to an ankle injury.

“On last Friday and then Monday, it was young v old so we (Long and Jelavic) were parted in those sessions. But we have worked on shape and I know he is a top player.

“He is looking to get to the World Cup in the summer so he is eager to do well. It will be little and large, as they say. He is a big lad but very mobile too, so he will be a handful for defenders.

“If I can play off him and we bring each other into play then it should be good.”

The outlay Hull made to bring the two new arrivals to the KC was £13m, with another £1m due to Everton if the Yorkshire side can stay up this season.

It is an unprecedented amount for the Tigers to spend and means the pressure to deliver will be on from the start for both men.

Long said: “It is fair to say there is a bit of pressure, yes. But I want to come in and make a difference so that is fine. The manager is confident in me and how I play. He wants me to play the way I know I can, testing them in behind and do what comes naturally.

“He will try and take the pressure off me but I put it on myself to produce on the pitch.

“Hull have spent a lot of money and they are really going for it. It is a club that should be in the Premier League. In every transfer window, they are looking to improve and get new players in. That is what I mean when I say it is exciting times.”

Long is one of five Irish internationals now on the books at the KC. Of those, Paul McShane is a particularly good friend and was at Long’s wedding last summer along with Leeds United manager Brian McDermott.

His fellow countrymen in the Tigers’ ranks played a part in persuading Long that Yorkshire would suit the striker and he cannot wait to get started.

Long said: “I have just turned 27 and, apparently, these are the best years of my life to come. I am going to try and make the most of them. This is another step up in my career and can only do me good.”

Last six games: Crystal Palace LDWLWL, Hull WLWLLW.

Last time: Crystal Palace 4 Hull City 2; March 5, 2013; Championship.

Referee: R East (Wiltshire).