Rasiak: 'I hope I will come over for a game to support Saints in the Premier League'

FORMER Saints striker Grzegorz Rasiak is planning his next trip to St Mary's and hopes he will support Saints in the Premier League.

Saints will compete in the Championship playoffs for the first time since 2007, when the Polish forward's goal sent a semi-final to extra time.

Rasiak netted 18 goals in the regular season before a late leveller to draw 4-4 on aggregate with eventual shootout winners Derby County.

Now living in his native Poland, the former Milford on Sea resident hopes his former side can beat semi-final opponents West Brom.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Rasiak said: 'At my tennis ground, I've got a Southampton shirt with my number nine on my wall.

Grzegorz Rasiak celebrates his equaliser against Derby County in the playoffs (Image: Daily Echo)

"It will always be great memories and Hampshire is a lovely place to live, even when I moved to Watford or Reading I kept my house there.

"Before the pandemic, I would often come back but after Brexit it was more difficult and I just focused on my life in Poland.

"They are three games away from the Premier League so I hope in October or November I will come over for a game to support Saints in the Premier League."

The former international added: "I love to watch football, even the Championship is a great competition and the level is very good.

"I will watch the second game in the playoffs, sadly the first leg is the same time as when my kids have a tennis tournament!"

Teammate of Rasiak and club captain, Claus Lundekvam, has warned Southampton ahead of the crucial clash at The Hawthorns.

Claus Lundekvam made 403 appearances for Saints (Image: SDE)

Lundekvam missed the matches against Derby in 2007 after picking up an injury on the final day of the regular Championship season.

He told the Daily Echo: "In the Championship, you need to be so much better than your opponent to play the way we did and do.

"I would be very disappointed if we don't get to the final and, in a final, you never know. It will be tough whoever you meet.

"It's never boring with Saints at the moment, but I have said some swear words when we have given away goals for fun.

"I fully understand wanting to play the way Russell wants to play and it's the future, but sometimes you have to recognise danger."