Ibrox transfer no problem for Ryan Porteous amid Rangers transfer links – BBC Scotland pundit
John Hughes is confident that Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous is good enough to play for Rangers, and moving to Ibrox is “no problem” for him.
Porteous has been linked with a move to a host of clubs including Stoke City, Millwall, West Brom, Sunderland, Luton Town and Watford, while Alan Nixon of The Sun reported he “heard a rumour” [7 December] that the Bears are also interested in him.
The Daily Record have quashed such rumours, insisting there’s been no interest from the Gers in the Scotland international.
Hughes, who also works for BBC Scotland as a pundit, is not sure where Porteous will land eventually, but he wants him to stay at Hibernian for the rest of the season.
“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,” said Hughes to Daily Record.
“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.
“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.”
Unlikely
It seems there is little truth behind Rangers having an interest in the Hibs defender, although he would have been a decent addition to the squad.
Porteous has only a few months left on his current deal at Hibs, and he has made it absolutely clear that he won’t sign a new deal at the club.
A host of Championship clubs are vying for his signature, and he is more likely to play there after he ends his chapter with Hibs.
Do Rangers need a new defender? Possibly.
The Bears lost a colossal figure in Calvin Bassey during the summer, and they haven’t been able to replenish his void.
John Souttar has hardly played due to injuries, while Ben Davies, summer recruit from Liverpool, has failed to make an impact.
With Connor Goldson out injured, the onerous burden has fallen on the shoulders of young Leon King who shouldn’t have to be facing this type of situation in the first place.
However, the key players are expected to return after the World Cup, but Michael Beale could look to add one more defender to his ranks.
In other Rangers news, this prolific goalscorer is “excited” by speculation linking him with a move to Ibrox in January.