Hibs manager Lee Johnson insists has no qualms about continuing to play Ryan Porteous even though the Scotland defender sees his future away from Easter Road.
Johnson revealed at the weekend that the 23-year-old, who is in the final six months of his deal, would not be signing a new contract following months of negotiations. The Leith side now plan to cash in on Porteous during the January transfer window, although any transfer fee would be weighed up against the player’s value in helping the team push for European football.
After an outstanding international debut in September’s UEFA Nations League draw in Ukraine, Porteous, who has been linked with Stoke City, Luton and Sheffield Wednesday, is unlikely to be short of options as he considers his next move. However, Johnson, whose team face Rangers on December 15 in their first game back after the World Cup before taking on Livingston, Celtic and Hearts, has no concerns over Porteous’ commitment to Hibs.
Johnson said: “In terms of playing Ryan I trust him impeccably, personality wise I would say me and him are really close and really tight. I haven’t got a problem with Ryan at all, this is a set of circumstances that I feel has been out of my control.
“We can’t do anymore in terms of what we’ve done, the conversations have been good but inevitably he has a high profile. We have to get the balance between the fee offered and the fruits of finishing, third, fourth, fifth.
"That is a tricky number. You have the financial rewards, the potential for Europe which brings that more revenue.”
Hibs have on loan Manchester United defender Will Fish, who started in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Middlesbrough, as a natural replacement to Porteous and concedes Johnson he may not have to delve into the January transfer market for another centre-back.
He added: “You are juggling short term success versus the long term succession. You have a player in the building like Will Fish and I think games like Saturday was perfect to see how he does.”
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