IT'S the tie of the FA Cup fourth round, but for Harry Redknapp it's the least important fixture on the horizon.

The footballing gods were circling above the new St Mary's boss yesterday when they produced the mouth-watering fixture of Saints against Pompey just six weeks after Redknapp quit as Fratton Park boss.

But the Saints manager stressed that Saints' Premiership survival is what really counts.

"It is an amazing draw - it is almost fate," admitted Redknapp.

"Once there were eight teams left I knew it was a certainty. I could see it coming.

"I would be a liar if I said it was a draw that I was hoping for but we are not afraid to play Pompey, even though they are a good team."

Redknapp is currently facing a massive task to preserve Saints' proud 27-year tenure in the top flight and is determined not to allow the prospect of facing Pompey to overshadow preparations for vital forthcoming league matches against Newcastle and Liverpool.

"We have some big games to come and that is where our focus must stay," he said. "We need to pick up some points if we are to stay in this division and that is our priority.

"The Cup is at the back of our mind for a little bit - the league is all important.

"If you ask me whether I would rather stay in the Premier League or win the Cup this year, I'd rather stay in the Premier League for sure - although a Cup run doesn't do any harm."

The tie, which will be held on the weekend of January 29-30, has already caught the imagination of the south-coast sporting public and set both cities buzzing.

Redknapp is prepared for hostility from sections of the Portsmouth fans, but pointed to the outstanding job he did for their club.

He added: "I'll be in for some stick as there's always some of that but we'll get on with it. It's only a game of football.

"I've said before, I can walk away from Portsmouth with my head held high, I'm proud of what I did there and no one can take that away from me. I have a lot of friends there.

"I had two-and-a-half years there. I took them from next to bottom of the First Division to where they are today.

"If they look carefully they will see what I left them.

"Without any disrespect but maybe they wouldn't be in the Premier League if I hadn't gone there. People know what I did there."

The omens for Saints look somewhat mixed. They have won all three south-coast derbies against Pompey at St Mary's - but each time the losing manager was a certain Harry Redknapp!