John Hughes reckons Ryan Porteous has been playing with a target on his back for years. And it’s because of his performances under that intense pressure that he expects the big guns will have their sights fixed firmly on the Hibs defender as he enters the final five months of his contract.
Easter Road chiefs have yet to have contact from any club over the 23-year-old who knocked back the final offer of a new deal last month. Record Sport understands there’s no interest from Rangers despite rumours to the contrary gathering pace earlier this week.
But Championship clubs Stoke City and Millwall are keeping tabs on Porteous while West Brom, Sunderland, Luton Town and Watford have also been linked. And former Hibs boss Hughes - a lifelong supporter of the club who he also represented as a player for four years - isn’t surprised. He’s just gutted to see a future captain and leader preparing to depart Leith. Especially as he now expects Porteous to leave for nothing next summer.
Hughes has no doubt the Scotland international is good enough to play for either of the Old Firm. But he also reckons the defender might feel he needs to get out of Scotland after controversies that saw him become a hate figure for Rangers fans.
There were run-ins with Alfredo Morelos, a red card tackle on Joe Aribo which Steven Gerrard described as a “leg breaker”, another sending off for a crunching tackle on Borna Barisic and the now infamous "do I look happy" goading of Gerrard after last season’s semi final defeat of Gers.
This season saw Porteous branded a cheat by Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin over a clash that saw Dons defender Liam Scales sent off at Easter Road. Hughes reckons the flak directed at the player in the last few years has been unfair. But he insists his level of performances during the same period show he is destined for the top.
Hughes told Record Sport : “One hundred per cent Porto has a target on his back and he’s been hard done by. But that goes with the territory of being a heart-on-sleeve, full-blooded type of player.
“Maybe that’s a reason to get out of Scotland. I don’t know. But at the same time he has been capped by Scotland because he has all those qualities.
“He has become a much better footballer over the last couple of years too. And he is still evolving and will be even better. Nothing intimidates Ryan. Going to Ibrox is not a problem for him. That’s the kind of guy you want in your team.
“A lot of people mention his temperament. If you take that out him then you’re not getting the same player.
“In terms of determination, commitment and putting your body on the line then all your best players have that edge and it’s a case of managing it. Sometimes I needed to start a fight to get wound up and get the best out of myself. Take that hunger and desire out of Porto and you don’t have the same player.
“It’s what makes him one of the favourites at Easter Road. The way he has progressed over the last couple of years he is good enough for the Old Firm. Definitely.
“I have no idea where he will end up but I’d expect it will be down south. He has all the qualities to go on and be a top, top defender.”
Hughes reckons Hibs have boobed by allowing Porteous to enter the final months of his contract. They could yet be temped to cash in next month but with no offers on the table then the danger is he will leave for nothing next summer.
Hughes said: “The club is in a transition period, a rebuild period, and needs the big characters around the place. Guys like Porto, Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson are the identity of the club.
“I’m still hoping he might have an about-turn and stay! Give him the money he deserves. He was on a path where he was going to be the captain of Hibs.
“If not then I would hope they could get money for him in January. But if I was his agent, I’d be telling him to sit tight and see what comes at the end of the season when he’s free. If he leaves for nothing then Hibs have slipped up because last year there were clubs prepared to pay money for him.”
No matter what transpires over the next month or five, Hughes reckons Porteous must still be in Lee Johnson’s starting XI up to the point he is no longer available. And he’s urged the Easter Road faithful to continue to back their man.
He said: “Hibs need Ryan Porteous in the first team from now until the end of the season. I’m saying to all the Hibs fans to back him 100 per cent. What he has done for the club is magnificent since coming through the academy and breaking into the first team. I had that problem at Inverness with Graeme Shinnie after he signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen.
“But the Inverness fans knew what he had given the club over the years and were magnificent with him. Porto will continue to give everything for the club and deserves the fans to give it back.”
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