Published: Thursday, 17th July, 2008 09:30
Little defends Shorey stance
By Anthony Smith
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In our out? The future of Nicky Shorey remains uncertain.
GLEN Little strongly denies touting Nicky Shorey to Portsmouth and has blamed the press for 'twisting’ his words.
Little, 32, signed a one-year deal at Pompey recently after his Reading contract came to an end.
But he insists he has made no attempt to persuade contract-rebel Shorey to join him at Fratton Park and has hit back at the media for suggesting otherwise.
“When I signed I tried to be nice with people and give interviews,” explained Little. “There was a lot of press interest and I was asked about Nicky Shorey’s situation.
“But the next day the whole story had been twisted and that really disappointed me. I don’t want to decline interviews but it does make you question why you do them.
“I told them he’s my best mate and of course I would be happy if he came to Portsmouth, as anyone’s friend would.
“But they made it sound like I was trying to sell him to Portsmouth and it wasn’t like that at all.”
Shorey has turned down a new deal with the Royals and has 12 months to run on his existing deal.
Portsmouth and West Ham have been linked with a £3 million swoop for the 27-year-old left-back but Little insisted: “The bottom line is I’m not going to tell Harry Redknapp who to sign or Reading who to sell.
“Of course, if Nicky is going to leave I would rather he came here then go somewhere else. But I’m not saying he should follow me to Portsmouth.
“He’s under contract with Reading and he will do what’s best for him, like I had to do.”
Little was on the verge of signing a new 12 month deal with Reading when Redknapp called out of the blue with an offer from the FA Cup winners.
But the winger, who missed almost the entire season through injury, insists he is not trying to meddle in his former club’s affairs.
“I saw that Reading had the hump with me but it’s not like that,” he stressed. “I’ve got the utmost respect for Steve Coppell and the club is disappointed that I left.
“But all I want is what’s best for Nicky Shorey. As long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters. Nick doesn’t need me to fight his battles for him.
“It’s not like he is out of contract like I was. My move was straightforward but with him there is so much more to take into consideration.”
Meanwhile, Little is desperate to prove himself in the top-flight again after last season’s bitter disappointment.
A persistent ankle injury limited him to just 20 minutes of Premier League action and his absence on the right of midfield was undoubtedly a factor in Reading being relegated.
And Redknapp’s lavish praise of Little’s silky skills suggests he is not heading to Fratton Park to make up the numbers.
Redknapp said: “I like Glen. If he can stay fit then he’ll play a part this season because he’s got fantastic ability.
“Reading missed him last year when he was injured because before that he was great for them.
“He’s a great crosser and can beat people – I think you’ll see him in plenty of games this year.”
Little responded: “It is nice to hear those words. That’s the sort of thing every player wants to hear.
“Portsmouth have so many great players in a lot of positions but they haven’t really got anyone else like me who likes to stay wide and put crosses in the box.
“Pompey have a lot of ball-playing midfielders but not many who will hug the touchline and whip balls in.”
Little’s move to the south coast was also the end of a long chase for Redknapp, who tried to sign the ex-Burnley star on several previous occasions.
“I’ve known Harry for a number of years,” stated Little. “He always gave me a good mention even during my Burnley days.
“I believe he tried signing me two or three times but Burnley always wanted a lot of money. Now five years later he has remembered and hopefully it all goes well.”
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