Steve Clarke: It's time for Reading to revel as underdogs

After overcoming a Bradford side who had knocked out Chelsea, Sunderland and Millwall on their run to the Sixth Round, Clarke wants his side to continue their good work.

“The FA Cup run has been a big bonus for us this year, because the league has been disappointing,” revealed Clarke, who took over at the Madejski Stadium in December.

“So to give the supporters and the club this FA Cup run has been a bonus for us.

“You could see tonight what it means to everybody and we’ll go to the semi-final, a hard game against Arsenal, with hope and belief that maybe we can continue the good work of Bradford.

“Bradford have been fantastic underdogs in the competition this year and we look to pick up the baton now and do it in the semi-final.”

Hal Robson-Kanu puts Reading ahead

Clarke’s side made an electric start to the Sixth Round replay in front of a sold-out home crowd, with goals from Hal Robson-Kanu and Garath McCleary in the first 10 minutes putting them in control.

A third from Jamie Mackie after the break sealed the victory, to send the Berkshire club into the last four for the first time since 1927.

“We were only very comfortable because we got off to a great start, we started quickly and looked like a team that was fresh out of the blocks,” added Clarke.

“I was a little bit surprised we scored from a set-play because normally Bradford defend them so well.

“And I’ve been speaking to Garath for a number of weeks now about trying his luck more often from distance and he got a wicked deflection, but if you don’t try your luck, you don’t get those breaks.

Garath McCleary celebrates his stunning strike

“So to be 2-0 up after ten minutes was comfortable and from there, we controlled the game very, very well and the third goal killed it in the second half.

“I’m pleased for the players, it’s been a difficult season, so it’s something to enjoy tonight.

“And I’m pleased for all of the supporters, they turned up in thousands tonight, made a big difference to the atmosphere around the place. It was very positive and the players responded to that.”

Clarke, who won the FA Cup once as a player with Chelsea in 1997 and then as a coach with the same club some ten years later, still refused to focus too much on their semi-final, with a competitive Championship campaign to oversee in the meantime.

But he admits taking the Royals this far certainly ranks high in his achievements in the game.

“When we get there, to that day, I’ll be quite excited but before then we have six league games,” he admitted.

“I’ve given the players a couple of days off to relax, enjoy the moment and clear their heads and then we come back and all our minds will be back on our game at the weekend.

“It’s pleasing though, it’s the second time the club has got this far in the history, so it’s a nice achievement to mark on your CV.”

For his opposite number Phil Parkinson, the result brought their extraordinary Cup adventure to a bittersweet end.

Alan Sheehan tangles with Michael Hector

Having spent 11 years as a player with Reading, the club remains close to his heart and he was happy to wish them luck.

And he now wants his side to take the momentum from their Cup run into winning promotion from League One.

“Reading were the better team on the night, in those first 12 minutes, we gave ourselves a mountain to climb and you could see we were deflated after that,” he said.

“They looked a lot fresher and we found it difficult to respond and a two-goal lead like that lifted the whole crowd and their players.

“But we’ve got to be immensely proud at what we’ve achieved in the competition this year. 

“It’s tough to take because we want to progress and we had immense support down here, but we need to move on and reflect on what we’ve achieved and we have so many great memories to take home with us."