Hermann Hreidarsson hopes Portsmouth put Everton's Champions League bid in the deep freeze in Sunday's Premier League meeting at Goodison Park.The Icelandic defender has come a long way from when he used to pack fish in frozen containers straight from the nets to earn a crust as a youngster but when he runs out this weekend, he will have the same cold-eyed determination to put a block on the opposition.

Hreidarsson, 33, has the unenviable record of being relegated with four different sides - Crystal Palace, Wimbledon, Ipswich and Charlton - since coming to this country in 1997 from Icelandic side IBV.

But he has also sampled the sweet taste of UEFA Cup football which his present club craves - and wants it again at Pompey where, among all Harry Redknapp's big signings in the summer, he turned up almost unnoticed on a free transfer.

The 6ft 3in stalwart has proved a solid, dependable left-back or centre-half, however - missing just a handful of games and bringing great experience to Redknapp's team.

He said: "The best I've had so far was playing in the UEFA Cup with Ipswich after the team finished fifth. We beat a couple of teams in the early rounds and then came up against Inter Milan - but we beat them at home, too, 1-0.

"It was a fantastic result but unfortunately, they turned the tables over there in Italy and knocked us out but it was still a great campaign for me. I really enjoyed it and want to go into Europe again with Portsmouth."

Hreidarssson, whose wife Ragna Loe was also a star footballer, having played for Iceland's national women's team, has made a good living from the game but does not forget his modest roots.

After school and university in Iceland he did a string of menial jobs while studying for a degree in engineering - including the fish factory.

He says: "After what you would call proper jobs like that you have to appreciate being a professional footballer. It is a great privilege."

And on his relegation record, he admits: "You can't hide from it or just put your head in the sand when results hurt.

"You have to look at yourself first and forever ask 'am I still doing my job?' That's all you can do. It's no good just getting depressed, you have to move on and try to make things better."

Eight away wins in the Barclays Premier League have helped put Pompey into the top seven, close to European qualification for the first time in the club's history but Hreidarsson admits the test at Everton, whose own success has sent them leaping over rivals Liverpool into the top four, could be defining for the season.

He said: "It's a massive game. It is crucial we don't lose it if we are going to stay in that race. If Everton win they are nine points clear of us.

"But it is no good just trying to get a draw. We must aim high and see where it takes us. It's absolutely vital we get something out of the game and I can promise you we are going in there trying to win.

"Everton have been a good side over the years. They are hard to beat and are a hard-working team with a lot of quality about their play as well.

"(Ayegbeni) Yakubu knows where the goal is and we certainly want to keep an eye on him but we are going to focus on our game really and see what we can do to them as well.

"Europe is what we are aiming for. At the moment it's been a good season but that turns into a fantastic one if we can reach Europe.

"You see the quality of the teams up there and fighting for these six spots at the moment. It's going to be a great season if we can manage to nick one of these places.

"This team has got all the attributes and strength in depth to be up there. If we can

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