Southampton’s Cameron Bragg on how playing for Saints is a privilege

Bragg has also been working in the Saints academy with another former graduate Adam Lallana who went on to make almost 450 club appearances, including 245 for Southampton.

“He’s been so good with me, and lot of the young boys,” Bragg said.

“I hope everyone feasts on his knowledge because he’s a proper genius in football, and has worked with some of the best ever.

“You can really tell that his understanding of the game is different level. He’s been so good at looking after me and helping me with things that I can do better in my game, and hammering in the things that I’m good at. Having him around is a big blessing for the club.”

Southampton have a rich history of bringing through talent from the academy, and Bragg has progressed through the ranks with players including Jay Robinson and Tyler Dibling before his £40m move to Everton in the summer.

Bragg said the pathway had not always been a smooth journey.

“It’s a lot less straightforward than people would see,” he added.

“It looks like a dream-world but there’s been loads of set-backs to get to that point, and it’s definitely not linear.

“A very tough first loan (at Crawley Town in League One), a tough start when we came on at Blackburn, and those things are just as important for your character to build and let you grow.

“Then those moments can evolve into a moment like Saturday, and they’re so important. The whole process just to get to that point was not easy, but it makes it worth it.”