Source: Eurosport
McParland keen to keep Ritchie
Notts County boss Ian McParland hopes to sign Matt Ritchie on a permanent basis after bringing the Portsmouth winger to Meadow Lane on a loan deal.
McParland spent much of the summer chasing Ritchie and saw a bid for the promising 19-year-old turned down by the Premier League club before finalising a loan deal until the end of December on transfer deadline day.
The Scot is happy his persistence has paid off and he is keen to keep Ritchie at the ambitious League Two club for the long term.
"It would still be nice to get him on a permanent deal because he's a player with a bright future, but Portsmouth think very highly of him and they only wanted him to go out on a short-term deal until Christmas," said McParland. "We will take it from there. If he's doing well and enjoying it, hopefully we can keep hold of him."
He added: "He's another piece of the jigsaw. We had to be patient to get him but it has paid off now he's here.
"He's a smashing lad, really enthusiastic and he's a quality player. He's an out-and-out winger and he never stands still. He has got a great left foot and an eye for goal."
