Ralph Hasenhuttl hailed ‘fantastic’ third-choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero’s heroics following his pivotal role in his side’s fortuitous fourth-round extra-time victory over Coventry.
And now the 40-year-old Southampton keeper could keep his place for the fifth round after he starred in their win from behind.
Kyle Walker-Peters’ 112th-minute deflected strike completed their comeback, after Stuart Armstrong’s second-half stunner cancelled out a Viktor Gyokeres first-half opener.
Ralph Hasenhuttl hailed Southampton’s third choice goalkeeper Willy Caballero (right)
Caballero made several crucial saves to help his side progress to the next round of the FA Cup
Coventry will rue their luck and on another day would have won if not for Caballero’s defiance.
‘He was absolutely fantastic, I’m very happy. This is the reason I wanted to give him a chance to play,’ said an ecstatic Hasenhuttl, who initially signed him on a short-term deal in December before it was extended until the end of the season.
‘He absolutely deserves it. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper. With Alex (McCarthy) injured and Fraser (Forster) taking a rest today, it was important he showed up and that we can trust him.
‘Even if it went to a penalty shootout, he’s really a penalty killer. I was always confident.’
Hasenhuttl will now have to prepare his side for a fifth-round clash against West Ham in March
The Argentine made several brilliant saves throughout the 120 minutes, none more so than in the dying embers of extra time to first deny Gyokeres and then Todd Kane with the follow-up effort.
The performance belied his 40 years and Hasenhuttl added: ‘When you see his body at this age, you have to do a lot of things right. He’s very settled, with both feet on the ground. A type of player and character every manager wants to have.’
Caballero will hope his display will earn him a starting place against West Ham in the fifth round. Southampton certainly owe him for their passage into it.