The surprise Southampton star who consoled Cameron Bragg after his red card

Cameron Bragg would have felt an instant pang of regret when he dragged down Ebou Adams on the 43rd minute mark on Sunday.

The young Scotsman had already been handed a yellow card for a rash tackle, and he left the referee with no choice but to send him off, after he cynically got a hold of the Pompey man's shirt.

Thankfully, Southampton managed to still grab a hard-fought 1-0 win, despite Bragg's two moments of madness, to clinch the South Coast Derby bragging rights.

While many Saints fans packed into St. Mary's would have been annoyed with the inexperienced number 26 for his hot-headedness, it was heartwarming to see - in the direct aftermath of his dismissal - how many Saints players went over to console the obviously distraught 21-year-old.

There was a surprise player who stood up to console Bragg, as well, who isn't a permanent member of the team, who might be a little irritated by his lack of first team minutes, as of late.

The surprise Saints player who comforted Bragg

When leaving the pitch, Bragg was instantly comforted by Jack Stephens and James Ward-Prowse, two of the more senior members of the squad, who will be seen as role model type figures for the youngster to look up to.

Leo Scienza would also give the emotional midfielder a pat on the back, before he was embraced by a clapping Tonda Eckert, and the raft of Saints substitutes who all stood up to play their own part in soothing the red-carded midfielder.

This shows you how together the Saints team is, who have all been bonded together by the horrors of Spygate previously.

Divin Mubama would also stand up from his spot on the bench to offer his reassurance, which is a nice touch from a player who will likely be leaving St. Mary's behind at the end of the season, as his loan deal expires.

Therefore, he doesn't have strong ties to the group.

Yet, he still acknowledged that Bragg needing consoling, when trudging off.

He could've been preoccupied with his own issues, as he failed to come on during the 1-0 win, meaning he has only been handed a meagre 21 minutes of action across his last three Championship outings.

This is simply not enough time for him to leave his mark on games as an exciting attacking prospect, as he remained rooted to the bench on Sunday.

But, he displayed a mature side to himself, as he continues to wait for his next first-team moment, which could be coming soon.

He will be waiting for his next first team moment

With the way the game was going, bringing on Mubama just wouldn't have suited the slight back to the walls approach the Saints adopted for the second half.

On another day, he likely would have come on, and the Manchester City starlet stands a much better chance of finally getting his first Championship minutes in October on Wednesday night against Norwich City, as Cyle Larin could well struggle to play a full 90 minutes, so close after the South Coast Derby.

He will look to the example of the aforementioned Stephens if he does come on, as the number 28 has had some critics this season - like the Saints captain - for not being imposing enough when he comes on.

Stephens answered back to his own set of doubters emphatically on Sunday, as he battled hard throughout to ensure a clean sheet was kept.

Mubama will be wanting to score at Carrow Road, therefore, to give Eckert some more selection headaches, and it could be a perfect environment for the 21-year-old to bag his first Saints goal since August, as the Canaries are notoriously leaky.

Whatever does happen in Norfolk mid-week, you can bet on the Saints working together as a complete team unit, with no man left behind, as Bragg was embraced by all his teammates, when he could have had the loneliest walk to make off the St. Mary's turf.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow