Hibs’ youngster Ryan Porteous has revealed that advice from ‘Super’ John McGinn has helped get him back into the Scotland set up.
Porteous was called up by Steve Clarke for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus and Kazakhstan in November 2019, but did not play in either fixture, but during that time he trained and roomed with former Hibs’ team mate John McGinn.
He later suffered an injury which kept him out of the Hibs’ team for the latter part of the season but started this campaign in top-form and has helped Hibs to third place in the table.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s clash with Hamilton Academical at Easter Road, Porteous said: “I am delighted. I’ve had a good start to the season and I’m just glad to get some international recognition.
“The gaffer has told me not to go there and make up the numbers but to try and put my stamp on training and try and get involved in the games and give Steve Clarke food for thought.
“It’s massive. That’s what everybody wants when they are growing up and to get that chance is a dream come true.
“Giving 100% in training every day was something I saw and McGinn (John McGinn) told me that’s what Villa do every single day. It took me a bit off guard that everybody is 100% at a good quality and that’s something I’ve tried to implement in training here. That’s something that Potts (John Potter) and the gaffer try to do. “
Hibs go into the game on the back of a 3-0 defeat to champions Celtic who according to manager Neil Lennon played the best football of his tenure.
The 21-year-old continued: “We are all disappointed to lose that game in the manner that we did but we had chances in the game. Obviously going to Celtic Park is a different ball game. They are a good side who are used to winning there.
“It was always going to be difficult but we are in a good place and we are up there for a reason and we want to stay up there and get a positive result on Friday night.
“Every home game we want to be winning. These are the kind of game we have slipped up in in years past so we won’t be taking this one lightly.
“You have to respect Hamilton. They have stayed in the league after being tipped to go down every single year since they came up, but they have managed to get results and stay up.
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.
