‘As far as I’m concerned Bishop will be wearing a Blues shirt next season’
John Mousinho is confident Colby Bishop will be at Pompey next season.
And the head coach is adamant the striker has more to come despite his excellent season in front of goal.
The 26-year-old netted 24 goals in all competitions – including 20 in League One – during a prolific maiden season at Fratton Park.
His impressive form has seen him linked with a move away from PO4, with both Ipswich and Blackburn reportedly tracking his progress.
But Mousinho is clear he has received no contact from potential suitors and gave a clear message to the Fratton faithful over where the striker’s future lies.
‘We’d absolutely love to (keep him),’ he told The News.
‘Colby loves it here and has played the best football in his career here this season. We hope that all counts in our favour.
‘It’s a good position to be in to have suitors. We haven’t had any calls about him yet. Of course, we’ve got to respect the end of the season and go from there.
‘But it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if there were other clubs looking at Colby.
‘I think he’s got plenty more to come in a Pompey shirt and we’d love to keep him. There’s no pressure from the club to sell.
‘The message to everyone is that it would be brilliant to see him in a Pompey shirt next season and as far as I’m concerned at the moment that’s going to happen.’
Bishop claimed a clean sweep of gongs as the season came to a close – including winning the The News/ Sports Mail Pompey Player of the Season
Mousinho added: ‘Fully deserved and I think he swept the board in terms of all the supporters’ Player of the Season awards.
‘He’s been excellent this year and has been the standout player.
‘To score 20 league goals is fantastic under any circumstances, least of all when there’s been a head coach change in the middle of the season, other difficult circumstances like having to move down from up north.
‘He has adjusted a fair bit but it’s fully deserved.
‘I’m very pleased for him and the most exciting thing about him is that we think he can kick on and do even more next year, which is a really good place to be in.’