JOHN ARNE RIISE bears no grudge towards Fulham fans for their taunts and hopes the Whites will join his Roma team in the Europa League knockout stages.

The former Liverpool defender came in for a predictable barrage of boos when the Italians came to Craven Cottage.

Fulham fans have still not forgiven the defender for snubbing a move to the Cottage in favour of Liverpool several seasons ago.

But Riise, who comes face to face with his brother Bjorn Helge and Fulham again tonight (Thursday) at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, is not phased.

"I think it's just football and you have to get on with it," he said.

"I sort of expected it again, but it doesn't worry me and I honestly hope Fulham go through to the next stage with us.

"Obviously, I want that for my brother, but also because I'd like Brede [Hangeland] and Erik [Nevland] to go through as team-mates of mine with Norway. "

He added: "I hope Fulham will pose less of a threat at the Stadio Olimpico.

"That game could decide who goes through in the group and I think that if we play like we did in the second half in the first match, we will win.

"But Fulham showed us last time they can be dangerous."

Riise admits his brother gave him a torrid start last time out, but John led the Roma fightback by earning a penalty and instigated several attacks with marauding runs down the left.

"The first 20 minutes, Fulham were on top of us, and Bjorn was putting some good crosses in, but after that it evened out and, second half I think we hammered them," he said.

"We started to play on the floor and less in the air and I was able to get forward more. I think we played

great football. They didn't have any good chances and I felt we killed them.

"It was a fair result in the end." [25cf] Brede Hangeland says the away trip to Wigan on Sunday is far more important than Roma in the Stadio Olympico tonight.

He said: "By no means have we become big enough at Fulham not to make a trip to Wigan with respect.

"Roma will be a big occasion - but Wigan is our bread and butter.

"Will it be harder to get three points against a Wigan team with 11

men, than against Liverpool with nine as it was towards the end of last Saturday's match?

"All I'll say is I've been here almost two years now and I can't think of one easy win in the Premiership - no matter what the circumstances."