‘I know’ - Bristol City star makes future transfer admission to Portsmouth

Bristol City utility man Kal Naismith has admitted he one day hopes to return to Portsmouth.

Naismith is into the second-year of his three-year deal at Ashton Gate, and is hopeful of reaching the Premier League with the Robins. He left promotion chasing Luton Town to chase the top-flight dream but could only watch on as his former Hatters teammates won promotion in May.

In their final act of preparation for the 2023/24 season, Bristol City face Portsmouth at Fratton Park in their final pre-season friendly. An injury for Naismith, that has ruled him out of all friendlies has continued on to Saturday, but the 31-year-old has made an admission about one day returning to Hampshire.

In an interview with affiliate outlet The News, he said: ‘Pompey is one club where I know I’ll go back at some stage – and my missus always says it too.

‘Whether as a player, manager or coach, I know my time at Pompey isn’t done.

‘I loved Wigan, it was a great club, but Pompey is special. I want to go back at some point, I have something in my head about it. It may not happen, but a lot of stuff I think about and visualise.

‘I feel I was a big part of them getting promoted from League Two and, at some point, I will get another promotion in them, whether as a coach or player. I would like it to be a player – I will be back at some point.”

Naismith holds fond memories of Portsmouth, and that is largely down to winning the League Two title in 2017. He enjoyed playing under Paul Cook, who later signed him at Wigan Athletic. During his time at Portsmouth, he made a total of 94 appearances, getting 21 goals and 16 assists in a prolific spell when he was more of an attacking player.

For the time being, Naismith remains a Bristol City player, and he will be 33-years-old when his deal in the West Country expires. The Glasgow-born utility player however does see a return to Portsmouth on the horizon at some point.

‘It’s not even finishing my career and coming back when I’m done,” he added.

“They will get the Kal Naismith that has played for Luton, the Kal Naismith who plays for Bristol City, who’s older now, a leader, albeit in a different playing position.

‘Not including my current club, Pompey is more special than the others. My partner loved it, it’s where we moved in together, our first house was in Locks Heath, she got pregnant, had our first son Bran there, I won League Two.

‘Since then they’ve not achieved what I thought they could have with me and that group of players there, I would love to do that.

‘I just believe it’s not done. One day.’