Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has revealed how he prepared Glen Johnson for his outstanding performance against Aston Villa's Ashley Young last weekend.

He told the Daily Mail: "I pulled Glen to one side quietly before the game, told him one or two of the chaps might think he needed help with Young.

"Then I told him that I had no doubts, none at all. Told him to go and be the player I think he is. Told him to make sure I didn't have to regret believing in him.

"Ashley Young is a good player, but so is Glen. Young didn't get a kick, we won 3-1. What a good player Glen Johnson is: trains hard, works hard, smashing boy.

"Believing in your players, showing them you have faith in what they can do. That's half the battle."