Little relishing Pompey chance

Winger delighted to be back in the big time

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 4th July 2008

glen little reading

Little: Second chance

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Glen Little has spoken of his surprise at securing a move to Premier League side Portsmouth.

The winger was part of the Reading squad which suffered relegation to the Championship last season, but has ensured that he will be playing top flight football again next season by signing a one-year deal with Pompey.

He admits that the opportunity to make the Fratton Park switch came out of the blue, but is delighted to now have the opportunity to work under a respected manager like Harry Redknapp.

Character

"It happened so quickly," he told Sky Sports News.

"My agent rang me and said he's (Redknapp) been on the phone and he wants you to go down there and have a chat.

"It happened so quickly it was all done in a day, so it was totally out of the blue, but as we know in football things can change so quickly.

"He's been a great manager over the years and he's a good character as well. I've known him for a few years and spoke to him, but you never expect to end up playing for him."

Lucky

An Achilles complaint restricted Little to just 51 minutes of first-team football for the Royals last season but, while he admits the was prepared to stay at Madejski Stadium, the lure of the Premier League proved too strong.

"I wouldn't have had any problems staying at Reading, I was all set to sign," he added.

"But when you get a chance to get back into the Premier League, at my age and my time of my career, you have to take it because having missed out last season you feel you deserve another shot at it. Luckily I've got it."

Shorey

Little's former team-mate at Reading, Nicky Shorey, is another who has been linked with a move to the South Coast and the 32-year-old believes that the full-back would represent good business for Pompey.

"I'm always talking to him, but I think the main thing is he is contracted to Reading," said Little.

"It would be great if he joined Portsmouth but it's not for me to get involved in.

"I'm not going to tell people who they should be signing or Reading who they should be selling."