Redknapp: stay loyal, O’Hara
O’Hara – who is being wooed by Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni – is a lifelong Tottenham fan but he is on loan at Portsmouth, who will face the winners of tonight’s replay in a Wembley semi-final.
But the 23-year-old would not be eligible to play against Tottenham and he said: “It is a weird one because for the first time in my life I will be hoping Spurs lose. I want to play at Wembley.”
Redknapp understands O’Hara’s predicament but thinks he was wrong to back Fulham when he will be returning to play for Tottenham next year.
“Jamie shouldn’t say that, really. I understand where he is coming from. I think he just wants to play at Wembley,” said Redknapp.
“But this is his club, he is a Tottenham player and he will be back here next year.
“He has got to be careful what he says because this is his club and the fans love him here.”
If O’Hara does return to White Hart Lane next season he will find increased competition for central midfield places after Spurs reached an agreement to sign the Brazilian Sandro from Internacional. Redknapp meanwhile would also like to extend Eidur Gudjohnsen’s stay at the club beyond his current season-long loan deal.
Gudjohnsen is set to start against Fulham after Roman Pavlyuchenko injured his hamstring while Wilson Palacios returns in midfield after being rested for the win at Stoke.
Redknapp knows just how tough a challenge Spurs will face tomorrow night, having been at Craven Cottage when Fulham staged a stunning comeback to knock Juventus out of the Europa League.
“I was fortunate enough to be there. It was one of the great European performances of all time,” said Redknapp.
Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera, meanwhile, has warned Tottenham he is relishing another chance to shine on the big stage after last week’s heroics against Juventus. Gera scored twice against Juve but considers the FA Cup quarter-final replay, with a place at Wembley at stake, just as important.
“This is a big occasion for the players, fans and the club,” he said. “It will be an important night for us all.”
Getting to Wembley would be the latest chapter of success under Roy Hodgson, who has taken the club into Europe after being relegation candidates under Lawrie Sanchez.
“It has been a long while since Fulham last ran out at Wembley,” Gera added. “So to be part of a team that achieves that for the club would be very special.”
Hodgson’s men are looking to bounce back from defeat against Manchester City at the weekend.
They will make a late check on Brede Hangeland, who missed the City game with a chest problem.
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