GORDON STRACHAN reflected on Sunday's glorious FA Cup semi-final win and admitted: "The players were ready, I could see it in their eyes before kick-off."
The Saints boss said he felt comfortable throughout the 2-1 victory over Watford - and today pledged that his Saints team will go to Cardiff with the over-riding priority of lifting the FA Cup, not simply enjoying the occasion.
He said: "At the team talk about an hour before the game I felt we were ready, I could see it in their eyes.
"The first ten minutes weren't great, but I said to myself 'behave Gordon, this is an FA Cup semi-final.'
"It was a one-off occasion and you are not always going to get classic football. I think we settled down after about ten minutes. Now we must really enjoy it.
"Times like this don't come around very often in football, so I'd say to all Saints fans: 'wear your ginger wigs and please go and enjoy yourself'.
"But we mustn't just turn up for the game, you get the enjoyment from winning the match. I don't like the expectation of going just to enjoy the occasion, you can enjoy the build-up but we are going to try to win the Cup."
Sunday was an unforgettable day for everyone involved and Strachan appeared to savour every moment of what was one of the finest-ever achievements by a Saints manager.
He said: "On the way to the ground, we drove through the side of the ground where our fans were and it was great.
"At the final whistle, I looked round and I was feeling for Garry Pendrey (Saints assistant manager) and Dennis Rofe (Saints first team coach). They have lost semi-finals before and have had to wait a long time for this.
"It was hectic and I didn't know who to celebrate with. I probably should've gone straight to Ray Lewington, but I was thinking of Garry and Dennis.
"I enjoyed seeing people enjoy themselves. It's been 27 years for this club and this gives another generation of fans something to talk about and remember. For me I think the highlight was seeing my grandson - he was in a jester's hat, so it must run in the family!
"I saw my wife, which wasn't bad out of 42,000 people and then my grandson. To see him enjoying himself was great.
"Then we tried to go to every corner of the ground, There were fans everywhere and we wanted to take it all in.
"We don't get to many semi-finals, so we wanted to soak up the atmosphere, and why not?"
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