SHANE Long scored the pick of the bunch as Saints cruised to a resounding 4-0 win over Chinese side Guangzhou R&F.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were 3-0 up at the break thanks to another early strike from Che Adams and an incisive finish courtesy of Yan Valery.

They could have been even further ahead, only for Callum Slattery’s goal to be deemed offside by the linesman.

Saints added their fourth in injury time when Christoph Klarer headed home from a corner in the 91st minute.

With majority shareholder Gao Jisheng watching on from the stands, the St Mary’s side put on a show for the Chinese business mogul.

Hasenhuttl had spoken about the “logistical challenges” the trip would bring about but decided to pick a strong starting XI.

First team players Valery, Adams, Long, Josh Sims, Maya Yoshida, Fraser Forster and Slattery were complimented by youngsters Jake Vokins, Thomas O’Connor, Klarer and Will Smallbone.

Saints started brightly which resulted in Adams taking advantage of some questionable goalkeeping to put the St Mary’s side ahead.

The club’s new £15m striker bagged his second pre-season goal after just 56 seconds when his effort from outside the box was fumbled into the back of the net by the Guangzhou goalkeeper.

Hasenhuttl’s team then doubled their advantage thanks to an audacious effort from Republic of Ireland international Long.

The 32-year-old curled his ball into the top corner from long range after noticing the opposition’s goalkeeper off his line.

Long then played a part in winning a penalty for Saints when he was tripped inside the box. Adams stepped up to take the spot-kick but had his attempt from 12 yards saved.

It didn’t change the dynamic of the game, though, and Hasenhuttl’s side continued to dominate proceedings with Mr Gao a keen observer.

And he was given something to smile about when Valery added the club’s third in the 38th minute.

The Frenchman weaved his way past two Guangzhou defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the far corner.

Hasenhuttl used half time to give his first team players a rest, with Yoshida, Sims, Valery, Long and Adams all being replaced.

Slattery and Smallbone were then taken off on the hour mark, giving way to Alex Jankewitz and Caleb Watts.

Vokins and Forster were then relinquished from duty with just 15 minutes remaining before the Klarer bagged his first senior goal for the club in injury time.

The Saints boss and members of his first team will now head to the airport to fly to Dublin so that they can link up with the rest of the squad.