The Times: Rangers have made ‘no approach’ to sign Ryan Porteous amid swirling rumours
Rangers have reportedly made no approach to try and negotiate a contract with Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous, according to The Times.
Porteous finds himself out of a contract in the summer, with Hibs resigned to losing him amid the 23-year-old’s hesitancy to sign a new deal.
Clyde boss Jim Duffy told Clyde Super Scoreboard this week “not to throw cold water” on rumours of Porteous joining Celtic, but also suggested: “he may be going across the road to their greatest rivals.”
With Rangers facing a defensive crisis this season it makes sense for Michael Beale to be targeting Porteous for a summer move – especially as he could be picked up without a transfer fee.
However, The Times have quickly extinguished the rumours by claiming that Rangers have made “no approach” for the Hibs defender.
Journalist Paul Forsyth writes: “Hibs sources insist that there has been no contact between the clubs, although they expect approaches for the centre half soon. Porteous, who has often been a controversial figure in matches against Rangers, is free to talk to potential suitors in the new year.”
Work in progress
Just because Rangers haven’t made an official approach for Porteous just yet doesn’t mean the club aren’t interested in signing him.
He’s been a standout performer in the Scottish Premiership this season and followed up his fantastic league displays by making his Scotland debut in September.
He’s physical, regularly available and has lofty potential at just 23 years old. If Gers are able to pip Celtic to agreeing a deal with him in January then it represents a shrewd bit of business by the club.
Beale will be pushing sporting director Ross Wilson to bring in defenders as soon as possible, with the club currently extremely thin in that position.
Porteous’ expiring contract makes him eligible to discuss a pre-contract agreement in January. He’s bound to have a number of offers on his table, so this saga is likely far from being over.
In other Rangers news, Pat Nevin tells ‘rubbish’ Alfredo Morelos that he won’t find a better club than Rangers