CHANGES COST TINKERMAN RAN

CLAUDIO RANIERI made 10 changes to his side for the trip to Millwall in yesterday’s FA Cup Fifth Round – and ultimately paid the price thanks to a late goal from Shaun Cummings.

After Jose Mourinho’s call on Friday for managers to respect the history of the FA Cup and treat the competition as one to be valued, Ranieri made the most changes of any team as his side travelled to League One Millwall.

Of course, the Foxes – crowned champions of England last May – are just one point above the drop zone in the Premier League after two wins in their last 10 games.

Throw in a Champions League trip to Sevilla on Wednesday and it is easy to see why Tinkerman Ranieri jostled his line-up once again.

But despite being favourite to be the next top-flight manager be sacked thanks to Cummings’ superb solo effort in the final minute, the Italian was surprisingly upbeat. He said: “I told my players before the game that I wanted soldiers and gladiators out on the pitch – and I got that from them.”

When asked if his time in charge of Leicester is coming to a close, a defiant Ranieri answered: “No. I am fine. I have a lot of time.

“I didn’t want a replay but if we had then I would have fancied our chances.

“Millwall’s pitch wasn’t good and if we had got them back at home it would have made a lot of difference.”

After the game, Millwall fans ran out on the pitch to celebrate reaching the quarter-finals and taunted Foxes supporters, while objects were also thrown. The incident required mounted police to get things back under control and could land the London club in hot water with the FA.

Ranieri said: “I did not see any incidents but from what I have been told it is not good. Football grounds should only be for football.

“I said to my players we must win today and we didn’t.

“Millwall deserved their win. Good luck to them in the next round.”