Gary Johnson was not in the least bit surprised when his Bristol City side came out of the hat alongside arch rivals Cardiff in the draw for the third round of the FA Cup.

The Severnside rivals will meet at Ashton Gate on the weekend of January 2-3 in a third-round tie which is sure to prove popular with supporters of both clubs.

And, coincidentally, Bristol City's boss just happened to be in the boardroom at Cardiff's new stadium when the draw was made at Wembley Stadium yesterday afternoon.

"I knew it would be Cardiff from the moment they began making the draw," said Johnson, who took the opportunity to run the rule over next Saturday's opponents, Ipswich Town, when they played the Bluebirds in the Welsh capital.

"I was stood in Cardiff's boardroom with Keith Millen (assistant manager) and Peter Risdale (Bluebirds chairman) when the draw came on the TV and we all said 'we're bound to draw each other.'

"Football is like that sometimes and we all appreciated the irony of the situation. It felt as though it was almost meant to happen that way."

He added: "You could see that Cardiff were disappointed with the draw.

"They wanted either to be at home to a small club or up against one of the big Premier League teams.

"In the end they've got neither and, instead, face a tough game away to a Championship rival."

The tie offers City an earlier-then-expected opportunity to avenge the 3-0 Championship defeat suffered in front of the Sky cameras at Cardiff's new stadium in August.

Johnson said: "We'd like to show Cardiff that we're better than that and this game gives us the chance.

"It's a great tie for the fans and it's good that we're at home. It's going to be a very passionate affair, as games between our two clubs always are, and there should be a fantastic atmosphere inside Ashton Gate."

City officials will meet tomorrow morning to discuss ticketing arrangements and they are likely to take advice from Avon and Somerset Police before making any announcement.

"Games between City and Cardiff have been subject to strict police control in recent seasons with away fans being taken direct to the stadium on board club coaches.

Bristol City media officer Adam Baker said: "We will try to get the restrictions lifted, but it will come down to the police.

"We will talk to them and to Cardiff before going any further."

Cardiff will be eligible to receive between 2,800 and 3,000 tickets for the tie.