Porteous inspired by Efe’s swagger

HIBS defender Ryan Porteous has revealed how Efe Ambrose’s “swagger” helped get him through the closing stages of Sunday’s victory over Celtic as time seemed to stand still.

With the Easter Road men leading 2-0 thanks to Vykintas Slivka’s first-minute opener and Florian Kamberi’s second in the 59th minute, Celtic upped the ante.

But Porteous and his team-mates stood firm, with the 19-year-old earning the man of the match award.

It was an impressive display from Porteous, who says he was reassured by the presence of Ambrose and Lewis Stevenson.

He said: “I think I looked at the clock at about 72 minutes and I looked back 15 minutes later – and it was at 75!

“They piled on a bit of pressure. But I looked over and I saw Efe just swaggering about!

“So that gives you a lot of confidence when you’ve got players like that, and Lewis, who was a different class, on the other side of me as well.”

And the teenager revealed the role played by manager Neil Lennon in taking the rough edges off his game.

“I try to base my game on being an aggressive defender,” he said. “Over the last couple of years I’ve been trying to control that aggression and the gaffer’s being working closely with me on that.”

Hibs host Rangers tomorrow night before Livingston visit Easter Road on Saturday, with another meeting with Rangers at Ibrox on Boxing Day and the Edinburgh derby against Hearts on December 29.

“We’ve performed well but there are some big games coming up. Hopefully we can build on Sunday,” Porteous added.