Troy Deeney reveals the tattoo he'll get if Hull City beat Southampton in Championship play-off final | OneFootball

The Tigers will contest football's richest game one week on Saturday

Hull City are just over a week away from contesting the Championship play-off final for the first time in 10 years, as Sergej Jakirovic's memorable first season at the MKM Stadium got even better in the semi-finals.

After starting the Championship season as favourites for relegation alongside Yorkshire rivals and the previously cash-strapped Sheffield Wednesday, the Bosnian has assembled a team capable of proving the thousands of doubters wrong with each passing week, and such togetherness has led them to Wembley Stadium on May 23rd.

Although the Tigers were inside the play-off places for several matchdays between the months of December and April, they almost lost their chance of promotion until the final day, when Oli McBurnie's brace versus Norwich City saw them return to sixth spot, securing a two-legged affair with Millwall.

The Lions were, due to their league position and run of form until the last day, expected to overcome City, especially at The Den, but what occurred was the polar opposite as goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt meant the East Yorkshire club and their supporters will be present at the national stadium for a fifth time in 122 years of history.

Troy Deeney reveals Oli McBurnie bet if Hull City emerge victorious at Wembley Stadium

The magnitude of the play-offs means that all semi-finals and the final, which is dubbed the 'richest game in football', are broadcast right across the world.

Despite the fact City have reached Wembley after a well-documented transfer fee restriction and multiple injury issues throughout the season, this has been somewhat overshadowed by the spygate saga in the other semi-final involving Southampton and Middlesbrough, with the former running out 2-1 victors in the second leg after another goalless first encounter.

With Saints in the Premier League as recently as last season, added to their recent Wembley trips - including the FA Cup semi-final last month - they have already been made the favourites.

Troy Deeney is a man synonymous with play-off heroics, given his iconic goal for Watford against Leicester City in the 2013 semi-final second leg, and the 39-year-old has revealed that he has an agreement in place with the aforementioned McBurnie should City return to the Premier League.

"Oli, I know you've messaged me," he said.

"What I said was (that) Southampton would have to be the favourites at this moment in time, by the way that they've played.

"But, don't go against Hull. Don't go against Oli and the boys, and he's let me know that I'm bang in trouble," Deeney added.

"I've made a little bet with him. If they win, I'll get Oli McBurnie's signature tattooed on me."

Asked if he would stick to the promise, the former striker stated: "Absolutely. I'm a man of my word.

Elaborating on City's achievement thus far, he continued: "I spoke to Oli about this when we had him on the show the other day

"Because they had a transfer embargo, it's not all the players they'd have wanted to get in an ideal world.

"It's a load of players that have been released from clubs and are trying to find their way, led by Oli McBurnie," Deeney explained.

"But, they're fantastic players. There's a togetherness that says 'right, we're the underdogs'.

"They were favourites for relegation, so they have this mentality in pre-season of 'watch. we'll show you.

"They've obviously got into a snowball. They're riding the crest of a wave, but now they can reuse it again.

"This is 'Premier League' Southampton with all the money they've spent, all the 'cheating' that they're doing. It doesn't matter, we can go against them.

"Everyone seems to think Hull shouldn't be here, and every single time they keep beating them and defying the odds.

"Oli, you know I believe in you buddy. Do what you've got to do," the pundit finished.

Troy Deeney verdict sums up Hull City's season under Sergej Jakirovic

The aforementioned verdict from Deeney is one which perfectly sums up City's season, that no one has seemingly given them a chance or enough credit, and they are now 90 minutes away from the top-flight.

McBurnie, of course, has proven to be one of the signings of the season, having been acquired on a free transfer after leaving Las Palmas, with his 17 strikes proving crucial alongside the contributions of his teammates across the board.

The Tigers will also not be overawed by Southampton in North London, as they are the only side to have completed a double over the South Coast side this term, winning 3-1 and 2-1 at the MKM Stadium and St Mary's respectively, with the latter of those on January 17th being the last time Tonda Eckert's men tasted defeat in the Championship or play-offs.