Watch Fulham vs Cardiff live on Sky Sports Football from 7pm on Thursday; Kick off 7.45pm
Wednesday 29 July 2020 15:46, UK
Neil Harris insists there is no issue with Fulham manager Scott Parker as the two prepare to face each other in Thursday's Championship play-off semi-final second leg.
Cardiff travel to Craven Cottage, live on Sky Sports Football, looking to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
Although the Cardiff manager appeared to take offence at Fulham's apparent over-celebration following their second goal deep in stoppage time, he claims it was nothing personal.
"I think a lot of players thought it was a big celebration but there's no big story in it," Harris exclusively told Sky Sports.
"After the game I pointed out the celebration but it wasn't against Scott (Parker) and was probably magnified because there was no fans in the stadium generating any noise or celebrations.
"Scott is a young man who has done a great job and I have a lot of admiration for what he has done and how he goes about his work.
"We get over that and it's now just about focusing on the second game and how we attack it and perform better and more consistently than we did in the first leg."
With no Championship side ever failing to reach the final after having a two-goal lead from the first leg, Harris readily admits it is a 'monumental task' for Cardiff to reach Wembley.
However, it is a challenge he is not prepared to shy away from, citing Cardiff's good record on the road and comeback from 3-0 down against Leeds earlier in the season to draw 3-3 as motivation for his side.
"It's a monumental task and certainly one of the biggest challenges I have faced as a manager but that's why I came to the club in the first place," Harris said.
"We're fully aware of the stats but we've got another 90 minutes to go and records are there to be broken.
"I have belief and faith in my group of players and we have the capability to go and score goals at any time against Fulham.
"We've also got firepower on the bench and scored more goals than any other team in the league from the bench."
Fulham boss Scott Parker was not prepared to give anything away regarding the fitness of star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic as his side try and book a Championship play-off final spot.
Mitrovic, who won the division's Golden Boot with 26 goals, did not play in the semi-final first leg against Cardiff due to a hamstring injury.
Parker said he took a calculated risk and it paid off as the Cottagers won 2-0 in south Wales and will look to complete the job at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.
The Serbian returned to training on Wednesday, along with Ivan Cavaleiro, but Parker remained tight-lipped over whether he plans to use his striker.
"It was his first day back training," Parker said. "We had to make a decision the other day because of the dynamic of where we are in the season and the game is going to be played over two legs.
"There was a small issue and I had to make a call on Monday. He has trained (on Wednesday) and we will see where we are, the same with Cavaleiro.
"We are constantly managing all situations because of the vast amount of football that has been played in a short space of time.
"Regarding Aleks, I wouldn't want to just say him, there are a group of players that you are managing and working for the best scenarios.
"I had to make a call which was best for the team and the football club and how we approach it. The game is over two legs, I am not going to discuss that. He has trained (on Wednesday). We are where we are and we will keep managing
those situations."
