Rangers are said to be in the running to sign Ryan Porteous with the defender’s contract due to expire at the end of the season – a player goalkeeper Craig Gordon was seriously impressed by, after his Scotland debut in September.
Porteous, 23, is set to leave boyhood club Hibernian at the end of the current campaign – after more than 150 appearances for Lee Johnson’s side. He has been repeatedly touted to join either Celtic or Rangers when he moves.
Clyde manager Jim Kelly told Clyde Superscoreboard that he had “heard” Rangers were pushing to sign Porteous. The Ibrox club are severely lacking in options at centre-back due to a number of injuries and need a new signing.
Porteous made his Scotland debut back in September after Steve Clarke’s side themselves had injury issues. Coming into a crucial game in which Scotland needed a point to win their Nations League group, Porteous starred.
Gordon, as per the Edinburgh News, said: “Brilliant, what a debut. He was really composed on the ball, he threw his body in when he had to, he made some good blocks. Ryan helped me out, and I thought he was excellent.
“I spoke to David Marshall about him. He was loving playing behind him. Marsh said he was an excellent player, expected big things of him. Ryan showed why against Ukraine. A great defender, and good on the ball for us.”
Rangers in running to sign Porteous: Gordon seriously impressed
With Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Filip Helander out, Rangers only have James Sands, Leon King and Ben Davies to choose from. King is still learning his trade, Sands is simply not good enough, and Davies has struggled.
Davies might come good eventually but he needs time, while Sands simply has not proven why Rangers brought him to the club. Rangers need a centre-back with a bit of grit, a bit of Premiership know how. Porteous is that.
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