Hibernian boss Lee Johnson admits Ryan Porteous has not spoken to him about a potential move to Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers, speaking to Glasgow World.
With the club season resuming in Scotland this week, Johnson could have done without speculation linking one of his star players with a move some 50 miles to the east. Certainly not with Porteous’ Hibs travelling to Ibrox on Thursday night for Mick Beale’s managerial debut in charge of the Gers.
According to The Sun, a host of clubs from south of the border are keen on the 21-year-old centre-back. Including Watford, Norwich City, Sunderland and a resurgent West Brom.
Links with a Rangers side now under the stewardship of former assistant coach Beale are not going anywhere, however, even if Johnson insists that Porteous has not mentioned anything to him about the 2022 Europa League runners’ up.
‘Foreign clubs’ and those in England’s second tier are keen. Only time will tell whether Rangers make a move of their own.
Could Rangers sign Ryan Porteous from Premiership rivals Hibernian?
“I’ve spoken to him on a regular basis about potential options. And he’s asked my advice on various clubs; Championship clubs, foreign clubs and stuff like that,” explains Johnson, who’s former employers Sunderland are among Porteous’ admirers.
“But Rangers is not one of the ones that have come up.
“I’m not saying that doesn’t mean they’re in for him. But maybe they haven’t been as prominent as some of the other clubs. There are obviously potential suitors out there, I know the clubs that are interested but no one has gone; ‘bosh, there’s a deal’.”
Porteous is out of contract next summer. January, then, represents Hibs’ final chance to cash in; Johnson admitting that ‘an assessment will have to be made based on the financial offer that we receive’.
The one-time Bristol City boss would understandably rather avoid seeing Porteous join a league rival, preferring to see the Scotland international head to England. Or, failing that, to Italy, following the success of Aaron Hickey, Josh Doig and Liam Henderson in Serie A.
“I would personally prefer to see him go down south,” Johnson adds, The Sun. “It would get him in a different market and out the way.
“I like him. If I didn’t think he was good, I’d be happy for him to be playing for one of our rivals.”
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