Harry Redknapp anticipates a torturous Saturday night if QPR lose the Championship play-off final against Derby.

To avoid moping around his Sandbanks mansion, the manager plans to go out with wife Sandra to his favourite Italian restaurant not far away - win or lose.

It’s a pretty decent eatery as Get West London can testify having been there after the April defeat to Bournemouth, but it’s a far cry from the glitzy celebration or commiseration parties around Wembley way.

However, the 67-year-old man in charge admitted he finds it hard to celebrate, but is way down in the dumps when he loses.

Joking apart: Joey Barton (L) and Steve McClaren (R)

“I won’t be going to a party Saturday night if we win - I’ll be going to have a bit of pasta with me missus,” he said.

“I’m not going to be running round the streets screaming and shouting - life goes on doesn’t it? If I sat indoors it would be a long night. I don’t get that high, but I get very low.

“But I’m confident, and feel we’ve got a good chance.”

Countless media questions about the man standing in the opposite technical area were deflected by Redknapp this week.

Steve McClaren started the season with Rangers before landing the job at Pride Park, but Harry doesn’t think the former England boss’s inside knowledge will come back to bite him in a painful place.

“It’s not about Steve and me - it’s about the players,” Redknapp said. “A lot of managers would say I’m not going to manage a Championship club; I managed England, but he did, and he’s done great.”