Mark Catlin hails Portsmouth togetherness after nailbiting day of Fratton Park drama

On a dramatic day at Fratton Park yesterday, the Blues managed to secure extensions for centre-half partnership Christian Burgess and Sean Raggett.

It was feared Jackett may lose both ahead of the play-off semi-final with Oxford United – yet agreement was brokered to stay for another month.

They were joined by six others whose contracts were scheduled to end on June 30.

The sole player who declined to remain is goalkeeper Luke McGee, who will next week officially leave the club after three years.

Still, the key arrangements centred on Burgess and Raggett, whose negotiations were particularly complex.

Burgess will leave Fratton Park this summer to join Belgium second-tier side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, a decision which required their green light to let him remain a little longer.

As for Raggett, he is still with parent club Norwich, who have a 12-month option on retaining him.

Now Pompey head towards July 3 with a full squad for Jackett to choose from.

Catlin said: ‘What I have said since the start of the pandemic is what we have at Pompey is a lot of goodwill from the players and the clubs we work with.

‘Thankfully it was that which got us through yesterday, enabling players to sign the extensions.

‘There were players within our hands and ones that were outside of our hands, but they have stayed.

‘When you’ve got players as committed as ours then it’s always a lot easier.

‘Until you manage to get all the bits of the jigsaw to come together, though, you never quite know. You can’t force people to do things they don’t want to do.

‘I don’t think it’s right to single out any players, but it has been done. Once the play-offs are out of the way there will be a lot of thank-yous going around.

‘Now we just have to concentrate on getting behind the team and Kenny. It’s coming together ahead of the play-offs.’

For Burgess, it will be the opportunity to leave Fratton Park on a high following five years with the club.

He had pushed to remain and see out the play-off challenge, making his feelings clearly known to his club in waiting.

Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, who have table a three-year deal plus 12-month option, agreed to the 28-year-old’s request.

Similarly, Raggett was also determined to fulfil his time at Fratton Park and see out his loan.

Catlin added: ‘Everyone has stayed and made themselves available – it says a lot about the spirit within the team and the club.

‘Now we can knuckle down. We have just over a week to the play-offs, let’s try to keep everyone covid and injury free. That is all we can do.’

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