Hull living the dream before Millwall showdown

Sergej Jakirovic says anyone who predicted Hull City would be two wins from the Premier League before the season started would have been "crazy" but says the Tigers are living the dream.

City head to Millwall for the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Monday night seeking a third straight win at The Den, which would be enough to book a place in the play-off final on 23 May following Friday night's stalemate at the MKM Stadium.

Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside: "This is the dream, especially when we started with the [transfer] embargo and everything.

"It's been an amazing season for us. We are two games form the Premier League and we will do everything we can to get there.

"I'd say you were crazy if you offered me this at the start of the season, nobody would have bet on this scenario.

"I am very proud. You cannot take anything away from the players this season - but the job is not finished yet."

The 49-year-old revealed Hull will "be short" in some areas due to fatigue and the quick turnaround between legs, with Darko Gyabi a doubt to feature in south London.

"We gave everything [on Friday]. We could play better, in some situations make better decisions.

"We have shown some video clips of what we need to improve, where we need to handle some situations, especially when [Barry] Bannan comes.

"I hope we will fix these things and have an even better performance in terms of in possession."

He added: "We have some positions we are short - no injuries, there is fatigue. A lot of players have come back from injuries and now must give everything.

"We are trying to find the best of what we have right now. It's very important who might come on after 60 or 70 minutes as you might need them to play 120.

"We will 100% have some chances, we have to use them."

Jakirovic, who missed the final-day clash with Norwich due to a touchline ban, has vowed to keep his cool on Monday in what is expected to be an intense atmosphere - though one he says his time coaching in Turkey will prepare him for.

"It's very important to keep our heads, including me and my staff. I have had experience this season," the Bosnian said.

"My target for now is I must stay calm, no matter what happens on the pitch, stay focused and try to help the team and staff.

"We have amazing experience. In Turkey, when you go to Galatasaray, Fenerbahce or Besiktas, you can't hear anything - not even the referee's whistle.

"We must remember, it is 11 v 11 - those in the stands cannot play."

Southampton or Middlesbrough await the winner in the Wembley showpiece on 23 May and Jakirovic said he sympathised with Boro boss Kim Hellberg after Saints were charged by the EFL amid allegations they spied on the side's training session ahead of the goalless first leg on Saturday.

"It's not good. I completely understand Kim," Jakirovic said: "I saw [Hellberg and Saints boss Tonda Eckert] shake hands. It was very cold.

"It's not fair play. It's not good for the image of the league. You are in the headlines in every country. I completely understand Middlesbrough and their coach."

He likened the reports to something out of a James Bond film but said he did not know a suitable sanction for Southampton, adding: "It's a big call, a big decision. I don't know the rules."