BEARGER 1,830 Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 Rangers and Celtic MUST battle it out to sign Ryan Porteous, says Kris Boyd – I’m sure the run-ins would be forgotten IF Rangers and Celtic are not already fighting it out for the signature of Ryan Porteous then they should be. The Hibs defender is out of contract in the summer and he’ll be the perfect fit for either of the Old Firm, who need central defensive reinforcements. People might be surprised by me touting him for a big move as I have been critical of him in the past. Yes, some of his antics infuriate you but I have never ever questioned his ability. Porteous’ performance on his Scotland debut against Ukraine shows when he’s on it then he’s as good as any central defender in the country. It has been mentioned that his display under the utmost pressure in Poland was a one-off. It wasn’t. There have been plenty of other top-class performances in a Hibs jersey over the past couple of seasons. Unfortunately they get lost or forgotten amidst all the other baggage that comes with the 23-year-old. Too often a lack of discipline on and off the park overshadows the good stuff. His reputation does go before him at times which is a shame because he certainly has bags of talent. Porteous has every attribute needed to thrive at Ibrox or Parkhead. He’s fast, a good passer of the ball and aggressive. Sometimes he is over-aggressive, but I don’t mind that in the centre half. Not every player has what it takes to play for the Old Firm. But the Hibs stopper has shown previously, and proved again in midweek, that he is cut out for the big occasion. It is imperative he now uses that display going forward as the blueprint for the rest of his career. It highlighted how good a player he can be when he cuts out all the nonsense. The time has come for Porteous to forget about playing to the gallery and stop being the pantomime villain. The 23-year-old also needs to stop focusing on trying to be the hard man and wise guy. Of course we all do stupid things when we are younger trying to impress the wrong people. I get that. But the only people that he should be trying to impress are his manager and team-mates. He doesn’t need to get involved in every single incident on the park. Or off it for that matter. Maybe his time with Scotland last week will prove to be the humbling experience he needs. Suddenly he wouldn’t have been the big fish in a small pond like he is right now at Easter Road. He would’ve been surrounded by top class professionals he respects, or should respect. Working with a coach who thrives on setting up teams to defend for their lives would also have been a positive experience for him. Steve Clarke is also a manager who doesn’t suffer fools and wouldn’t stand for anybody playing to the crowd. He clearly rates him as well and if the defender screws the nut then there is a big move waiting for him around the corner. Porteous is an international who will be available on a free transfer in eight months. Signing him should be a no-brainer. Yes, he has had run-ins with Rangers and Celtic in the past and there is history, but I’m sure that would be forgotten if he turned in displays like Tuesday night every week. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain the same levels of intensity and concentration for Hibs against Ross County today. I’m also curious to see how Celtic react to losing in the Premiership for the first time in a year. They threw Rangers a lifeline when suffering defeat at St Mirren prior to the international break. Ange Posetcoglou decided to give a number of players a break and I could understand some of his calls It made sense to give Josip Juranovic a rest when he had international games coming up while Cameron Carter-Vickers was nursing a knock. For the life of me I couldn’t get my head around Jota not starting. It would have made more sense to give Callum McGregor a day off. I just wouldn’t contemplate ever leaving Jota out given that he doesn’t play international football. Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada are two terrific players, but they are very similar. They take the opposition out of the game mainly with their pace. What Jota offers is trickery as well and that is what is required when teams like St Mirren sit deep and don’t afford you any space in behind. Fair play to Saints boss Stephen Robinson because he got his tactics spot on and they did extremely well to nullify Celtic. That was the first time for as long as I can remember that Postecoglou’s team ran out of ideas. It has been plain sailing domestically for a while now and it will be interesting to see how he reacts. Though I expect them to get the three points this afternoon. The Buddies winning was also a good result for the rest of Scottish football. It highlighted that the big guns can’t rest players when they feel like it and expect to turn up anywhere and collect three points. It keeps it a bit more exciting at the top with Celtic looking as if they could have ran away with it. Yet, the fact the champions lost doesn’t take away from Rangers’ performances at the moment. Their away form hasn’t been great and they face a tough test today at Tynecastle. If Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men don’t win then questions will continue to be asked of all involved at Ibrox. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutton_blows_goats 5,345 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 An unlikeable little pleb but seems to be maturing into a decent player and I’d consider him. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whosthedado 1,685 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 No thank you 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malangsob 1,264 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 He is definitely an asshole. Every team needs one. Especially if Fredo is leaving the club at the end of this season. We will have an opening. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buster. 5,199 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 Harks of the early 80's Prefer Leon King. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 10,640 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 I wouldn't say no to a pre-contract. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 6,084 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 Porteous reminds me of Gregor Stevens. When his timing was in, Gregor could be a stylish centre back. Timing off due to the red mist and the red cards appeared. Of course, like Gregor we could give Porteous more opportunity to ensure our hearts remain in our mouths; play him in midfield? Seconds out ...... ding, ding! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,747 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 What have I missed during the international break? Every time I saw him beforehand, he was at best half-decent, yet prone to wild challenges which will only go unpunished if he wears any other colour than blue ... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,570 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 Porteous looks decent from time to time but I'd prefer to stick with King. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
the gunslinger 3,366 Posted October 1, 2022 Share Posted October 1, 2022 (edited) A total loose cannon and thug who would cost rangers any amount of points a season. Also if he wasn't at hibs we wouldn't get so many free points from them. had one of his rare good games for scotland the other night though which is good. Edited October 1, 2022 by the gunslinger 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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