Ireland’s Shane Long has sympathy for Neil Taylor following ‘horrible’ leg breaking tackle on Seamus Coleman

IRELAND striker Shane Long has revealed that Neil Taylor failed to hold back the tears after snapping Seamus Coleman’s leg with a horror tackle.

Coleman was stretched off with oxygen following Taylor’s dangerously high challenge before Ireland manager Martin O’Neill confirmed the Everton right-back had broken his leg.

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As Coleman lay on the floor in agony, Long comforted his Ireland team-mate by cradling his head until he was carried off the field and taken to hospital.

“I was trying to comfort him on the pitch.

“He’s loved by everyone, he’s a big player and he will be a big loss.”

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But Long has sympathy for Taylor, who also broke his ankle during a game for Swansea in 2012.

The Southampton striker believes he didn’t intend to hurt his opponent.

Speaking after the game, Long said: “He caught him high and I think he was in tears afterwards.

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“I think he has got it done to him before I suppose he went in worried about the challenge.

“He knows the pain Seamus was in because, as I said, he’s been there before.

“It was a horrible challenge and there is no defending it, but I don’t think he meant to do it.”

The extent of Coleman’s leg break has yet to be revealed but he will undergo surgery today as his playing career comes under threat.

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And his Everton team-mates have taken to social media to wish him a speedy recovery.

Yannick Bolasie wrote: "Horrific challenge nah man get well soon Seamus bro I know mentally he's the man to come back better stronger from this."

Midfielder Ross Barkley wrote 'Devastated for Seamus. Get well soon lad' whilst former Toffees star Wayne Rooney said 'Hope Seamus Coleman gets better soon. Horrible tackle."