James Beattie has vowed not to celebrate if he scores his first Premiership goal for Everton at St Mary's tomorrow (2pm).

Beattie broke his Everton duck with an FA Cup goal against Sunderland last week but is yet to score in three Premiership outings since his £6m move from Saints.

And the 26-year-old has admitted that he will have mixed emotions if he gets off the mark against his former club.

He said: "I'd hate to see Southampton go down - I've still got a lot of friends down there and, if I'm selected for the game and I end up scoring, you won't see me celebrate."

Last month, Everton became Beattie's third club.

Back in 1998, he moved to Saints as a £1m makeweight in the deal that took Kevin Davies to Ewood Park for £7m.

He added: "Six years on, they sold me for £6m. I think that's a good return. In those six years, I think I gave them four good seasons.

"I certainly scored some important goals, which, let's be honest, is probably one reason why they're still in the Premiership.

"I hope the fans will look at that rather than think I just cleared off and left them.

"The fact is I never demanded a transfer but, for some reason, the chairman felt he needed the fee.

"I'm not sure why, because Wayne Bridge and Dean Richards had already gone for big money.

"I don't know where it all went, but we're just assets."

Beattie is also keen to set the record straight over allegations that he persuaded Saints chairman Rupert Lowe to axe Paul Sturrock.

He added: "Contrary to the rumours, I was not someone who sat the chairman down and told him what to do.

"I never spoke out against Paul Sturrock.

"I got slaughtered down at Plymouth on my Everton debut, because they clearly thought I had, although in hindsight I don't think he was a good appointment.

"But I never complained to the chairman about him, just as I never said a word when it was thought that Glenn Hoddle might be coming back."

Beattie scored 76 goals in 233 league and cup appearances for Saints.

Injury limited him to one start under Redknapp - the Boxing Day stalemate at home to Charlton.

But Redknapp has been grateful for the money provided by the sale of the former Blackburn striker.

He said: "He was certainly good value for what he cost and there's no doubt that he can score goals - he did a good job while he played here."