Confident Porteous in mood for Scots debut
RYAN PORTEOUS has said he is relishing the prospect of making his Scotland debut in the crucial Euro play- off with Israel, despite the pressure of trying to end the country’s 22 year exile from a major finals.
The Hibernian defender has been selected by manager Steve Clarke for next Thursday’s semi- final at Hampden and the upcoming UEFA Nations League encounters with Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Porteous’ inclusion is a reward for his impressive form in helping Jack Ross’ side climb to third in the Premiership.
The hopes of the nation will once again fall upon the 11 players Clarke sends out against Israel as Scotland look to move within touching distance of reaching their first international competition since the World Cup in 1998.
The 21- year- old, however, is adamant he will take it all in his stride if selected.
He said: “Everybody knows what is at stake, the pressure on it.
“The quality in the team is there, we have some real good players in there and hopefully we can get the job done.
“It would be a big opportunity, I would be looking at it as a special moment for me.
“It’s my first cap and you need to go and put a good performance in.
“It is a big step up to senior level. Everyone is trying to impress at club level, obviously.
“But you’ve got maybe less than a week’s worth of training to catch the eye at international level, hoping to impress the manager in two or three games.
“So it is difficult. Everyone trains at their maximum capacity – and that’s what I’ll be doing.”
Porteous was only eight months old when Scotland kicked off France 98 with an agonising defeat to the prestigious Brazil.
Watching old videos of the country’s previous games at major finals has whetted his appetite and he is hoping to make sure the Tartan Army can dust down their passports.
He said: “You’re a bit jealous when you see people who have been away from Scotland at Euros, I’ve seen footage of these games and it’s great to see. That’s the kind of thing you want.
“When everyone else was at the Euros a few years ago, we were supporting any team that was playing England and hopefully people are supporting us now.”
Porteous will be in action this evening at Easter Road as Hibs face Hamilton, who will be bolstered by the return of defender Lee Hodson.
The former Rangers fullback has recently had to self- isolate for two weeks after his flat mate, St Mirren goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, tested positive for Covid- 19.
And while the thought of spending two weeks locked in a room with no face- to- face contact with another person would be a depressing thought for many, Hodson ensured that he spent his time in selfisolation productively.
It would have been understandable if the full- back spent his days alone bingewatching a couple of shows on Netflix but Hodson’s ambition was far more laudable and means he will be ready if called upon tonight.
“It was tough but I was keeping myself busy,” he said.
“I was following a programme in my room to keep myself ticking over.
“I watched the two games and I was in close contact with all the staff and the players. Every day we were having a chat and I was keeping myself occupied.
“I was on an exercise bike and the fitness coach and physio sent me a programme to keep my legs and muscles ticking over. So I just followed that over the two- week period to make sure I was ready to come back and train and ready to play if the gaffer chose me at the weekend.”