Millwall manager Neil Harris: An FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace would be sold out at either stadium

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Neil Harris wants his Millwall players to experience the “great atmosphere” of facing Crystal Palace – with both clubs in tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final draw.

The Lions sealed their place in the last eight with a 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

And Palace ensured it would be two South London clubs in the closing stages after a 2-0 success at Doncaster Rovers the following afternoon.

Millwall are the lowest-placed team left in the tournament and one of only two Championship sides – the other being Swansea City.

Chelsea and Manchester United – who play after tonight’s quarter-final draw – will join Wolves, Brighton, Manchester City and Watford in the next round.

“The reason I said I’d like to play Crystal Palace is because those games are a great atmosphere,” Harris told the South London Press. “They are great games to play in. It will be sold out at either ground – that’s my thinking behind that.

“I’d really like a home tie – a chance to play at The Den in a fantastic atmosphere again.

“I saw some of the Watford game [against QPR on Friday] and a lot of the Palace match – they were two very professional performances. Very similar to us – not the most pleasing or exciting of cup ties. But the respective managers will be really pleased with that scenario.

“I was delighted with the way our game didn’t ebb and flow. I never wanted it to become a full-blown cup tie with chances at both ends.

“It showed them people who talk about teams underestimating the competition or not valuing it – it showed managers want to get through because they played their strongest sides.

“It is a fantastic competition and a privilege for us to be in the last eight of it.”