STEVEN Whittaker had no qualms about shouldering the penalty responsibility in Saturday's 2-2 Emirates FA Cup draw with Southampton.

Whittaker picked up the ball after Cameron Jerome was sent tumbling in the box by Saints 'keeper Harry Lewis - and the Scot coolly dispatched his spot-kick to bring his side level.

He told Norwich City TV afterwards: "Everyone was a bit tentative when we got the penalty, but I've hit one previously for Norwich and I've hit quite a few for Rangers.

"I was more than happy to step up. Pritch (Alex Pritchard) kind of wanted to take it, but I said 'give it to me, I'll take it'.

"Steven Naismith knew I was quite comfortable doing it, so he told me to go and hit it.

"Everyone can score penalties; it's just one of those things where you're keeping your nerve and not changing your mind at the last minute."

Southampton retook the lead through Maya Yoshida later in the second half, but City ensured a replay will decide who progresses to the fourth round after Steven Naismith's late goal.

That game - one which Whittaker is targetting for another outing - will take place on Wednesday, January 18 on the south coast.

Whittaker added: "It was an interesting game and I'm glad we got something out of it in the end.

"The manager stressed that last week the performance (against Derby) was good, and that we wanted to continue that today.

"Regardless of going behind, we kept believing that we could get something from the game. We'll look forward to the replay now.

"That's great for the guys that are on the fringes who get the chance to play in these types of games. A replay for me is quite a good thing."

STEVEN WHITTAKER: MORE THAN HAPPY TO STEP UP

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