Harry Redknapp admits he can barely believe Portsmouth are playing in Europe.
Redknapp and Campbell in confident mood
Harry Redknapp admits he can barely believe Portsmouth are playing in Europe.
Pompey will kick-off their very first campaign of European football on Thursday when they entertain Vitoria Guimaraes in the first leg of their Uefa Cup final qualifying round clash.
Redknapp feels it shows how far Portsmouth have come as a club in recent years.
"When I first came to the club six years ago, if you said we would be playing European football, you would have been off your head," he told
Sky Sports News.
"We were a team struggling in the championship - so it has been good, a fantastic period and this is reward for winning the FA Cup."
Sol back in Europe
Sol Campbell will be skippering Pompey on their European debut but he is a veteran of the continental stage.
Campbell, who scored for Arsenal in the 2006 Champions League final, has not played in Europe for two years since leaving The Gunners, but he is relishing his return.
"I have played European football for a long time, but after two years out of it I am raring to go," he told
Sky Sports News.
"But you can say that for the other players who have played European football and the more guys you have with experience the better it is."
Portsmouth have found their form in recent weeks and go into the game on the back of two wins and Campbell feels that is very important.
"The more games you win the more confidence starts to flow, and that is what it is all about," he continued.
"They are a good side but we have to impose ourselves - going forward and in the backline we are looking really good."
