City became only the second club to get to the 5th Round without playing League opposition after winning 1-0 at Torquay on Saturday to set up the tie on February 14th or February 24/25th should the replay between the Premier League clubs be postponed for any reason.
"It's a good draw," said Mr Ranson to the CT. "We obviously would have liked a home tie but we are delighted to still be in the competition.
"You can't pick your way through cup competitions. You have to take what comes and I am sure Chris and the team will relish the challenge of taking on Premier opposition.
"We played at Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup last season but I am not suggesting it will be the same as Sam Allardyce appears to have turned things round there.
I know Sunderland's Chairman Niall Quinn well because we played together at Manchester City so we will watch the outcome of their replay with great interest."