Kris Boyd urged Rangers to sign centre-back Ryan Porteous earlier this season with the Scotland defender’s contract set to expire next June – and now, Jim Duffy has said that he has heard Rangers want to sign him ahead of January.
Porteous, 23, is considered one of the best centre-backs in the Scottish Premiership. Excluding the Old Firm sides, he is probably the best the Premiership has to offer. Still only 23, he has clocked up 151 appearances for his boyhood club.
Earning his first Scotland cap in September, Porteous’ long-term future is in doubt. His contract at Easter Road is due to expire at the end of the season and that may allow clubs to land Porteous on a free. That includes Scottish sides.
Back in September, Boyd suggested to The Sun his old club Rangers – or Celtic – should try to sign the no-nonsense defender: “If Rangers and Celtic are not already fighting it out for the signature of Ryan Porteous then they should be.”
Now, Clyde manager Jim Kelly told Clyde Superscoreboard that he has heard Rangers are interested: “I have heard that there is a little bit of a suggestion that he may be going across the road to their (Celtic’s) greatest rivals (Rangers).”
Boyd urged Rangers to sign Porteous and now Rangers want him
Ask most Rangers fans what their problem area has been this season, it is the middle of the defence. Even when Connor Goldson was fit, it was a struggle to find him a permanent partner. Plenty have tried, and struggled.
John Souttar and Ben Davies joined in the summer but have been poor. Leon King has come into the side and been up and down, while James Sands started the season alongside Goldson. Now, Goldson is injured. So, what next?
Does Michael Beale continue with his current options? Filip Helander also remains at the club. The issue is that if Rangers do try to sign Porteous, they will have numerous options on the books and may have to sell one or two.
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