Hughes says Shaqiri stunner is nothing new

Xherdan Shaqiri’s screamer saved Stoke City’s blushes against newly-promoted Middlesbrough at the Riverside, but manager Mark Hughes says it was run-of-the-mill for their Swiss star.

The 24-year-old made his mark at Euro 2016 for Switzerland with a breathtaking overhead kick against Poland and he picked up his Premier League campaign in similar fashion against Boro.

Álvaro Negredo had put Hughes’ men up against it, but Shaqiri stepped up to the plate with a left-footed free-kick that swung past Victor Valdes, thundered into the post and into the back of the net.

Though the travelling Potters were sent into raptures, Hughes insisted Shaqiri knocks those in for fun in training, with the goal more than a just reward for their general play.

“He’s done that in training every single day and he’s due one,” Hughes said.

“He’s a good player. He’s done it throughout his career and we are grateful for the strike.

“His angle of approach makes it difficult for keepers because they’re not sure if he’s going over the left or right side of the wall.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“The keeper takes half-a-step and that’s all it takes from not keeping it out of the net.

“But I thought we got back into the game and second half we were much more the dominant side and looked the most likely to get that goal.

“Then we might well have taken the game away from them, but didn’t get that clear-cut chance a lot of our play deserved.”