Rangers and Celtic have been told to sign Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous by Ibrox icon Kris Boyd, with the centre-back available on a free transfer from January 1 on a pre-contract basis – with his current deal expiring next summer.
Porteous, 23, has enjoyed a brilliant couple of weeks – making his Scotland debut against Ukraine during the break. He performed admirably, as Scotland secured promotion to the UEFA Nations League A division – keeping a clean sheet.
He then returned to Hibernian duty, scoring in a 2-0 away win over Ross County. His eleventh goal for Hibs, in 143 games for his boyhood club. But his long-term future is in doubt, with his contract at Easter Road expiring in June.
Discussing the future of Porteous in his Scottish Sun column, Rangers legend Boyd said his old club should bring him to Ibrox – while also saying Celtic should take a look. He says both Old Firm sides needs strengthening at centre-back.
“If Rangers and Celtic are not already fighting it out for Ryan Porteous then they should be. The defender is out of contract in the summer. He’ll be the perfect fit for either of the Old Firm, who need central defensive reinforcements.
“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. He certainly has bags of talent. Signing him should be a no-brainer,” Boyd told the Sun.
Rangers and Celtic told to sign Porteous by Boyd: Available on a free
Porteous is a rock-solid, no-nonsense, old-school defender that has clearly worked hard on working with the ball. At 23, he is experienced and on a free transfer, he would be a decent signing for either Rangers or Celtic come January.
But the question mark is, would he be good enough to start? One would argue that he is shining for Hibs, and then Scotland, because he is a big fish in a smaller pond at Easter Road. He is one of his side’s best players, if not the best.
He starts week in, week out. At Rangers or Celtic, would he? Probably not. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Moritz Jenz and Carl Starfelt would be above him at Celtic. Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Ben Davies, arguably, at Rangers.
Porteous may feel he he can overtake some of those names. But he is thriving at Hibs because he is first choice. A player that has previously angered Steven Gerrard, who claimed a tackle on Joe Aribo was a “moment of madness”.
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