Hibs’ highly rated young defender Ryan Porteous wants to show the Scotland manager Steve Clarke and his background staff what he is capable of after being rewarded for his excellent early-season form with a call-up to the senior international squad.
Porteous could face team mate Ofir Marciano’s Israel in the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final before a Nations League double-header against Slovakia and Czech Republic.
This is his second stint with the senior squad having been initially called up for the double-header with Cyprus and Kazakhstan last November although he did not play in either game.
The 21-year-old told Hibernian TV: “I just want to show the staff what I can do and play my part in whatever way I can, whether it’s getting a chance to play in one of the games or making sure training is as competitive as possible.
“I went in with an open-mind last time and like to think I picked up a few things. When you’re surrounded by good players and new experiences it would be daft not to. It’s a privilege and the sort of thing I would never take for granted so I’ll go there and give it my all.
“It maybe sounds like a cliche but it’s true – whenever you pull on a Scotland strip, at any age group, it’s an honour. I was looking forward to meeting up with Scot Gemmill and the Under-21s, but this is a great opportunity for me to work with Steve Clarke and some great players.”
Porteous will meet up with former team mate ‘Super’ John McGinn who is back at his best playing for Aston Villa in the English top-flight.
He continued: “I shared a room with John and it’s always good to see him. Like me, he had his own injury to deal with but he’s obviously back on top form with Aston Villa. Everyone at Hibs is really proud of what he’s done and he’s the first to say how much he benefited from being at Hibs as well. John’s clearly an important player for the national team, too, and I’m glad it’s not my job to pick the 11 who start.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
