|
|
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Niko Kranjcar happy with possible FA Cup meeting against former club Portsmouth
Croatian star anticipating emotional game against Pompey...
8 Mar 2010 21:42:00
By Steve Alexander
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Niko Kranjcar is delighted to see his side handed a possible meeting with former club Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
Spurs will need to overcome Fulham in a replay at White Hart Lane after a goalless draw at Craven Cottage before a semi-final meeting against the struggling south coast outfit.
Kranjcar will be one of several Tottenham players who could come up against their former side, including Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.
It will also be a special occasion for former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp who won the competition in 2008 with the club.
Kranjcar lists the FA Cup victory with Pompey as the highlight of his career so far and admits it could be an emotional encounter against his former club.
"Because of the emotion it would be a hard game to play," Kranjcar told the London Evening Standard.
"I had a great time down there. Portsmouth was the first club that game me an opportunity to prove myself in international football.
"I think all the former players who won the FA Cup and then left the club still have a special emotion, a special feeling, for the club.
"For three years I really enjoyed my time there. We had some great results there. But I'm not happy with what is happening with the club now."
Kranjcar is enjoying a fine season with Spurs but the Croatian international is disappointed at the current crisis at his former club and hopes they can somehow avoid relegation.
He said: "Throughout the season they haven't shown they're a team that should be relegated. With the quality that they have, they should easily be mid-table.
"Unfortunately, with all the problems, it does influence the team, it does impact upon the team, and some results haven't gone their way.
"But they've kept on fighting and if by some luck they don't get the nine points deducted [for going into administration], they might stay up."
Tottenham will face Fulham in the quarter-final replay at White Hart Lane on March 24.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Spurs will need to overcome Fulham in a replay at White Hart Lane after a goalless draw at Craven Cottage before a semi-final meeting against the struggling south coast outfit.
Kranjcar will be one of several Tottenham players who could come up against their former side, including Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.
It will also be a special occasion for former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp who won the competition in 2008 with the club.
Kranjcar lists the FA Cup victory with Pompey as the highlight of his career so far and admits it could be an emotional encounter against his former club.
"Because of the emotion it would be a hard game to play," Kranjcar told the London Evening Standard.
"I had a great time down there. Portsmouth was the first club that game me an opportunity to prove myself in international football.
"I think all the former players who won the FA Cup and then left the club still have a special emotion, a special feeling, for the club.
"For three years I really enjoyed my time there. We had some great results there. But I'm not happy with what is happening with the club now."
Kranjcar is enjoying a fine season with Spurs but the Croatian international is disappointed at the current crisis at his former club and hopes they can somehow avoid relegation.
He said: "Throughout the season they haven't shown they're a team that should be relegated. With the quality that they have, they should easily be mid-table.
"Unfortunately, with all the problems, it does influence the team, it does impact upon the team, and some results haven't gone their way.
"But they've kept on fighting and if by some luck they don't get the nine points deducted [for going into administration], they might stay up."
Tottenham will face Fulham in the quarter-final replay at White Hart Lane on March 24.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
