RALPH Hasenhuttl insists there won’t be any animosity between the two dugouts on Saturday.

When the sides met on New Year’s Day, Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho called Saints’ goalkeeper coach Andrew Sparkes an “idiot”.

Mourinho was unhappy with the way Sparkes was conducting himself and made a trip to the home team’s technical area to air his thoughts.

His actions led to the referee booking the Spurs boss, although Hasenhuttl said that’s all in the past and revealed it became a running joke in the office ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup fourth-round tie.

Hasenhuttl explained: “I don’t think so, emotions are part of the game. Jose is a fantastic guy and Andrew is also a fantastic guy.

“It was a running gag in the game and also after the game in our office, but he is a good guy and I think this is normal sometimes in a game, that emotions are running high.

“I don’t hang it too high.”

Saints’ victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night opened up an eight-point cushion to the relegation zone.

This has given Hasenhuttl the breathing space to be able to give the FA Cup a real go.

It’s unlikely that Mourinho will make wholesale changes to his side because of injuries and also due to his desire to win trophies wherever he goes.

Although Premier League safety is Saints’ priority, Hasenhuttl claims the FA Cup is a tournament he’d take seriously even if the club were still struggling at the wrong end of the league.

“Even if we would be lower in the table, we know about the importance of this competition,” added the Austrian.

“When you see the trophy, everybody wants to get their hands on it.

“It’s a short way to go because it’s a few games and it’s a big chance to get a title and this is everything that’s interesting for the weekend.

“We will go with the best possible squad to get into the next round against a strong side.”