‘Good player’: Beale responds when asked if 23-year-old is joining Rangers

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Mick Beale describes Ryan Porteous as a ‘good young player’ but played down reports linking the Hibernian ace with a move to Rangers, speaking to Football Scotland following a dramatic 3-2 win at Ibrox on Thursday night. 

There was no shortage of drama as the Scottish Premiership returned following the Qatar World Cup break.

Three goals in side the opening 16 minutes in Glasgow; Porteous himself opening the scoring while impressing in a new-look defensive midfield role in front of Lee Johnson’s back four. 

Rangers displayed impressive powers of recovery during Beale’s managerial debut, however, two second-half strikes in quick succession from Ryan Jack and the hitherto out-of-sorts Alfredo Morelos cutting the gap to Old Firm rivals Celtic to six points. 

Porteous might have found himself on the losing side. But the Scotland international’s performance, showcasing impressive flexibility against one of the clubs rumoured to hold an interest, will have done little to dampen the interest on both sides of the border. 

Ryan Porteous impresses as Rangers beat Hibernian at Ibrox

Beale, however, insists that Rangers have not ‘spoken about’ the Edinburgh-born 23-year-old. Not yet, anyway. 

“He’s not someone we’ve spoken about. To be honest, we’ve not spoken about any targets right now,” says the former QPR boss.

“I think Ryan is a good young player. He sort of played in a new position tonight. Fair play to him. He scored a goal and I’ve seen him come through, really (at Hibs).

“I was here when he made his debut and he’s gone on to play for Scotland. But, at the moment, I think he’s part of their squad and I wouldn’t want to speculate on that.

“I know it’s come out that he’s not going to sign a contract. That means he must have something on his mind. If that’s the case, that wouldn’t be Rangers, as we haven’t discussed it yet.”

Porteous’ contract expires next summer, meaning Hibernian have just six weeks to cash in before losing one of their prized assets for absolutely nothing. Per The Sun, a host of clubs in England’s second tier are interested; Norwich City, Watford, West Brom and Lee Johnson’s old employers Sunderland among them.