Southampton legend Rickie Lambert has taken to social media to respond to a chant from Saints fans towards Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian striker came off the bench for City in the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Southampton at St Mary’s, which Saints won 2-0 to set up a two-legged semi-final against Newcastle United.

Haaland was unable to add to his 27 goals already this season in a City shirt as the visitors failed to muster a single shot on target against Saints, with the hosts keeping just their third clean sheet of the season in all competitions.

Understandably, Southampton fans were delighted at the outcome on the south coast, with some supporters basking in the success by mocking Haaland when he missed a chance shortly after his introduction as a substitute.

The expletive chant from home supporters suggested that Haaland was perhaps not quite as good as Saints hero Lambert, who scored 117 goals for Southampton in 235 games between 2009 and 2014. He helped the club achieve back-to-back promotions from League One and the Championship, earning himself a place in the senior England squad as he continued to excel in the Premier League.

The chant from Southampton fans was picked up by many on social media after being heard on Sky Sports’ coverage of the quarter-final clash, with bookmakers Paddy Power publishing an Instagram post about it, which Lambert himself liked.

But not only that, the former Saints striker also responded via Instagram, sending a brilliant message that read: “He’s still got time to improve!”

Haaland has taken the Premier League by storm so far this season, netting 21 goals in his first 16 games in the English top flight, following his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund. He has also scored five goals in the Champions League and one in the Carabao Cup, taking his tally to 27 goals in 22 games this term.

Source:hampshirelive.news