Redknapp reminds O´Hara of Spurs loyalty

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has told Jamie O’Hara to remember where his ultimate allegiance lies after the midfielder said he wanted Fulham to knock Spurs out of the FA Cup.

O’Hara is a lifelong Spurs fan but he is on loan at Portsmouth, who will face the winners of Wednesday’s replay in a Wembley semi-final.

But the 23-year-old’s deal means he 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, who as Portsmouth manager guided the south coast club to FA Cup glory in 2008, sympathised but added O’Hara could not forget he would be heading back to Tottenham at the end of the season.

“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.

“He has done a great job for Portsmouth and I am delighted how well he has done for them. I have so much time for Jamie.

“He obviously wants to go to Wembley and play, so it is difficult.

“He had the disappointment in the League Cup final of being left out of the team when Tottenham played Chelsea. He is obviously desperate to get there this year,” Redknapp added.

Meanwhile Spurs, held to a goalless draw by Fulham in the original quarter-final, face a Cottagers side who staged one of the most astonishing fightbacks to knock visitors Juventus out of the Europa League last week.

“I was fortunate enough to be there. It was one of the great European performances of all time,” said Redknapp. “It was a fantastic night, a great atmosphere and a great performance from Fulham.

“Roy Hodgson has done a terrific job. He is a terrific guy who knows the game inside out and he has been a terrific signing for Fulham.

“He has built a very good team there and it will be mighty tough for us.”

Tottenham are currently fourth in the Premier League and pushing for a Champions League spot although they face competition from Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

“We are trying on two fronts. Every game is important for us and we have some tough games,” said Redknapp.

“I wouldn’t write anybody off. I wouldn’t write Aston Villa off and I certainly wouldn’t write Liverpool off. I think they have got a great chance. I looked at their fixtures yesterday (Monday) and they have good fixtures,” he said.

“Anyone could finish fourth and anyone could finish seventh. It will be that close. I think it will be a great finish to the season.

“We have some tough games. We have Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal to play. We have to go to Sunderland and Manchester City.

“We certainly have the toughest fixtures but we are playing well and we have got to keep that going.”