Ryan Porteous admits he can't wait to come back up the road for a Hibs game - perhaps Rangers or Hearts away - but reckons he might need a 'balaclava'.
The Scotland cap is settling in to his new life at Watford after sealing a move from the Hibees in the January transfer window. Porteous had made the decision to leave his boyhood club but revealed his move down south won't stop the occasional visit to Easter Road when the opportunity presents itself. The 23-year-old will be back home as Steve Clarke's men prepare to face Cyprus and Spain.
But the centre-half revealed he would love to catch a game under a disguise at Tynecastle or Ibrox but reckons he would need to go full subterfuge with a 'balaclava'.
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The 23-year-old said: “I am looking forward to getting back to a game as a fan because I missed out on that for years..
“I have been trying to look at the schedule to see if there is a Hearts or Rangers away that I can get to. I might need to go with a balaclava.”
The defender also paid a touching tribute to former Hibs owner Ron Gordon after his sad passing. He added: “He was very honest with me. When I told him I wanted to move he didn’t stand in my way.
“He wanted to try and benefit the club as much as possible, but he didn’t stand in my way. He found a way to make it work for both myself and the club.
“I didn’t know he was ill, I only found out when Hibs announced it. We knew he hadn’t been to the games, but we didn’t realise why. The family probably wanted a bit of privacy so it came as a shock to us all.
“It was devastating news because it all happened so suddenly with Ron. I have a lot to thank him for that’s for sure. He was a good man who did a lot for the club. He was someone who was so positive around the club.
“He took the time to phone you and message you. After games he would check in to see how you were. He wanted to know about you and if you had any thoughts on how to make the club better. He would always ask you up front.
“I think the fans saw that too. It’s horrible because he was a really good man and he did a lot for me. It’s a mark of the man that he took the time with his players. Some of the decisions don’t always work out but I think you can see he always wanted the best for the club.
“He always tried his best for the club, he tried to make it work and I think now you are seeing progress in the club and in the team. It’s taken time, but having stuck with the manager they are benefiting. Hopefully they can push for third.”
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