Tony Adams: Portsmouth was brilliant for Glen Johnson's career - even England boss Fabio Capello thanked us

And that training ground contribution was also recognised by England boss Fabio Capello.

Johnson is regarded as one of Pompey’s greatest modern-day right-backs following his three seasons at Fratton Park.

The 2008 FA Cup winner made 100 appearances and scored four times, while was crowned The News/Sports Mail’s 2008-09 Player of the Season.

He departed the south coast for Liverpool in the summer of 2009, spending six seasons at Anfield, while finished his career with 54 England caps.

And Adams believes Johnson should be grateful for his Pompey grounding.

He told The News: ‘Pompey should be very proud and Glen should be very thankful of Pompey – that club gave him a platform to develop his game.

‘We encouraged it and developed it and worked with him. I am very proud of that.

‘I remember Fabio Capello thanking me for the work I did with Glen.

‘No question about it, going forward Glen was amazing, he got the most assists and scored a few goals, including with his left foot.

‘I didn't want to stop that. I mentioned to Harry about getting a left-back who was going to sit, although Hermann (Hreidarsson) was still up and down. You get your right-sided centre-back sitting in Glen’s channel when he goes, because there’s a big hole when he does.

‘Initially it was Linvoy who stepped into that hole, then it became Sol. Glen was so great going forward that we wouldn’t stop that.

‘We did a lot of work on Glen defensively as well – and I think he became a fantastic defender.

‘He started as a right-sided centre-back as a kid, so I knew he had it in him. He had the frame to do it too, so I gave him a few tips on how to defend. It was just a little reminder because he loved getting forward.

‘Glen stepped up and had a fantastic time at Pompey.’

Harry Redknapp initially signed Johnson on loan from Chelsea in August 2006.

And he blossomed at Fratton Park, earning a permanent arrangement 12 months later in a £4m deal.

Adams added: ‘I think we made Glen happy in his environment. Chelsea might have been too big for him too early, there were others there and as a young player he might not have got the experience.

‘It was right for him to come to Pompey and he went on to Liverpool and had a fantastic career, also playing for England more than 50 times.’

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