Redknapp savours Saints classic

Jamie Redknapp has revealed that Southampton’s dramatic 4-3 win over Norwich gave him as big a thrill as any of the classic encounters he played in for Liverpool and England.

But the Saints midfielder, 31, has told his team-mates they must maintain the character they showed in the vital win on Saturday at St Mary’s for the final two games against Crystal Palace and Manchester United to ensure Premiership survival.

Manager’s son Redknapp, brought in by dad Harry from Tottenham on a free transfer in January, can play on despite a 10th booking of the season in the 4-1 hammering at Portsmouth last week which would normally bring a two-match ban.

As the 10th caution was incurred after the Football Association’s disciplinary deadline on cautions, Redknapp will receive just a written censure and a warning as to his future conduct and is available for the visit to Selhurst Park and the home game with United.

He said: “The Norwich game will always be a memorable match for me but we know we have two more big games to face.

“Some people thought we had lost our bottle after what happened the previous week at Portsmouth but against Norwich we showed that we haven’t.

“It was as good as anything I’ve ever played in. The atmosphere was great, the fans were great and the players showed a lot of character – something that some people had begun to question.

“I played in a couple of 4-3 matches against Newcastle while I was at Liverpool and maybe there was a bit more quality there, but for pure effort and will will to win and for how much it meant this was a great game to play in.

“And I don’t think I’ve quite enjoyed a goal as much as the late winner Henri (Camara) scored. After being on the end of so many late goals ourselves it was lovely to get one.”

Senegalese substitute Camara was booked for whipping off his shirt in triumph at the 88th minute strike and running to the crowd, but Redknapp said: “The only reason I didn’t have my shirt off, too, was because I don’t have a physique quite like him.

“Normally after a goal like that you try to get organised and concentrated again and that’s what we have to do now for the last couple of weeks of the season.

“We’ve shown we are capable of keeping our Premier status and we’ll try all we can to do it. It is going to the last game now and we have two huge games left.”