Monday 19 March 2018 14:17, UK
Ryan Bertrand has backed Mark Hughes to lead Southampton to Premier League survival.
The Welshman took charge of his first game as manager on Sunday and booked an FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea with a 2-0 win over Wigan.
However, while Southampton celebrated their place in the last four, Crystal Palace's win at Huddersfield Town on Saturday meant Hughes' man fell back into the bottom three of the Premier League.
Hughes has eight games to save the Saints from relegation after replacing Mauricio Pellegrino on Wednesday, and Bertrand is impressed with what he has witnessed so far.
"Very good," said the England International. "I'm looking forward to playing the remainder of the season with him.
"He's been there and done it. Even as a player, he's vastly experienced as well, and whatever he can share with us hopefully we can use and do what we need to do."
Saints are two points from safety and have won just one of their last 17 games, with a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United proving to be the last straw for Pellegrino.
Bertrand offered an honest response to his former manager's sacking, calling it a "shared responsibility" from the manager to the players, although he admitted that "when push comes to shove unfortunately it's the manager that gets the bad end of it."
Bertrand believes the win over Wigan, who memorably beat the Premier League champions-elect Manchester City in the previous round, can build confidence.
"That's what it's about, just getting a win and taking confidence from that. We can take progressing in the competition into the league."
The left-back will now join England for their upcoming friendlies against Holland and Italy, with a relegation clash with West Ham to follow when he returns to club duty.
"It's definitely a massive game," he said.
"It's something you might as well look forward to. There is no other way. You go there and relish the opportunity because if you come out of there with a result it leaves you in very good stead."
