Malta link will raise team profile says Redknapp

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp reckons the new relationship established between Malta and the club from the South Coast in England, through the Air Malta partnership deal, will help raise the team's profile.

Redknapp returned to Portsmouth in December of 2005. Last year, they finished eighth in the Premier League and won the FA Cup after a lapse of almost 70 years.

"We are looking forward to this new venture with the Maltese airline company," Redknapp said at the club's Eastleigh training grounds.

"I've never been to Malta before but have heard a lot lately about this country and I want to make a visit shortly with the team for a training camp. This will be of great benefit to the club, no doubt."

Redknapp said he was in Italy for holidays recently when a Maltese guy walked up and shook hands with him.

"I did not know the guy but during a short chat we had I realised how popular the English game is in Malta. He told me that top class teams had visited the country these past few years and he mentioned Milan, Juventus, Inter, Manchester United and Liverpool," Redknapp said.

"So, I argued, if such great clubs go for training in Malta why can't Portsmouth do the same now that we can benefit from the Air Malta sponsorship. This will be a great business partnership and it will raise our profile, no doubt about that."

Turning his attention to his achievements at Portsmouth these past couple of years, Redknapp reckons that what the team achieved last May was more remarkable than it looks at first hand.

"Portsmouth became the first club outside the 'big four' to win a trophy in England after 12 years. Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool play in another level. You can never reach their standard, it's so high," Redknapp said.

"The Premier League is the most difficult championship in Europe these days. Finishing among the top 10 is good, let alone the top four. That makes our achievement even more significant."