HARRY Redknapp is expecting more “grief” from the Saints fans as he makes only his second return to St Mary’s this Saturday since his controversial departure in 2005.

Redknapp copped some abuse when he made his first return to the stadium with QPR in March 2013 – Rangers collecting a surprise 2-1 win just a few weeks before they were relegated from the Premier League.

Redknapp, who left Saints to return to their bitter rivals Portsmouth almost nine years ago, said: “I always get a bit of grief down there.

“I think we went there and won last time and it was on my birthday so that was a good birthday present - let's hope we go and get a win there this time.”

Redknapp knows his Rangers side, who have lost both their away league games 4-0 so far, will be facing a confident Saints side aiming for a sixth successive league and cup win.

“We're only five games in but at the moment they're looking the real deal,” Redknapp said of his former club.

“It's been fantastic what they've done, amazing really.

“When they lost all those players in the summer I think people thought that was the end of Southampton and that they'd be on the slide, but Ronald Koeman has done an amazing job there.

“They play some good football, they've got good players - good young players coming through again as usual.”