SAINTS boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is now focused on achieving Premier League safety.

Hasenhuttl admits last night’s FA Cup exit gives his team more time to prepare for their top-flight games.

He said: “I’m not that frustrated, it’s a pity we gave it away two times, but I know that it will be tough until the end of the season.

“I think it can be an option that if we aren’t in the FA Cup anymore, then we will prepare for the important games in the league.

“You will see this if we prepare in the week with a lot of training sessions, then we will have more chance to be in shape and defend against a good team.

“You always hear from managers saying that if they step out of the FA Cup that they can focus on the league. In our situation it’s very important.

“It’s a luxury problem if you come far in the FA Cup and don’t get relegated. We would have liked to have come in the next round for sure.”

Nathan Redmond came on at the beginning of the second half and made an immediate impact by adding some dynamism to Saints’ play.

The winger doubled his side’s lead with a delightful chip after Stuart Armstrong nodded in from close range.

However, the 24-year-old missed a great chance in extra time, before fluffing his lines from the penalty spot. 

Redmond put it his effort from 12 yards high and wide to leave Saints praying for a Derby miss, but the Rams didn’t follow the script.

Hasenhuttl continued: “I was very upset about the chance he missed in overtime because he made the wrong decision.

“If he chipped it in like he did with the first goal, then it would have been perfect and maybe the winning goal from us.

“He showed today that he is a key player for us. 

“When he stepped in the game in the second half, we were the better team. He helps us a lot by creating chances. 

“The second goal was fantastic, but that’s football.

“The guy who makes the turnaround after the break is the guy who misses the penalty, but that’s football.

“I think he slipped away when he shot at the goal, but what hurts more is that we played 120 minutes on a Wednesday evening and we have to bring a good performance two days’ later against Everton at home.

“That will be a challenge to get the players fresh again and for them to recover well. We will have to find fresh players to put in.”