“Virgil was just wow… unbelievable. But Berty was definitely up there.”<\/h2>\n

While Ryan Bertrand is a picture of familiarity for Southampton supporters, it is still somewhat bizarre the full-back hasn’t had a chant from the terraces bestowed upon him. But make no mistake, the absence of song isn’t indicative of his standing within the fanbase, or the lack of affection towards him.<\/p>\n

Seven years a Saint, Bertrand may be tune-less, but is undoubtedly one of, if not the best, signing the club have made since returning for their Premier League sequel.<\/p>\n

Throughout the heavenly and hellish times, trapped within the most volatile, unpredictable periods, the 31-year-old has remained an infallible constant. Though the days of Ronald Koeman and his European adventure are deep into the odysseys of time, the sight of a certain full-back hustling up and down the left hand side\u00a0casts as one of the few current pictures that evoke old emotions. And of course, all with the same languid, sometimes stoney exterior in tow.<\/p>\n

“No, no, no,” laughs former Southampton defender Will Wood, asked if Bertrand’s infamous scowl ever came his way. “He\u2019s really chilled out. He\u2019s not aggressive at all. He\u2019s a little bit of a moaner though – but I guess that\u2019s seen at times in every footballer.<\/p>\n

“I think he would moan quite a lot because he was really serious, and he wants to win. So anything little thing that happens, he would whinge about it.”<\/p>\n

The overall message from those\u00a0Prost International <\/i>spoke to, <\/i>both openly and off the record, highlighted similar observations. The general observation which often arose was his leisurely demeanour belies an inner resolve.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s not as stoney faced as you see on the pitch,” continues Wood. “With the lads (in the dressing room) he was a joker that was always whinging about something. He always had a problem with something. But it was never horrible, he used to make a joke out of it. In fairness, he was really funny.”<\/p>\n

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