Porteous has head for Israel tie, says Hanlon

A FLASHING header from Ryan Porteous arcing into the night sky, looping just beyond the reach of Ofir Marciano. No offence to the Israel No 1 but it’s a scenario that most of his Hibernian team-mates would love to see played out at Hampden on Thursday night. ‘That’s a good point — I hadn’t thought of that,’ said a grinning Paul Hanlon, the veteran Hibs defender able to see the funny side of an own goal that left the home side clinging on to a 3-2 lead in Friday’s win over St Mirren at Easter Road. Porteous, who also conceded a penalty in a game that really shouldn’t have caused Hibs quite so much trouble, won’t have laughed too long or too hard at his own misfortune, obviously. The 21-year-old has earned a second call-up to the full Scotland squad by dedicating himself to improving every aspect of his game. When he makes a mistake, he finds a way to fix it. Should he get the nod to play any part in the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final, the centre-half will have earned his chance through application, as much as ability. And Hanlon, who has seen the Scotland Under-21 star develop into the defensive line leader at club level, says the ‘kid’ has all the attributes — mental as well as physical — to make the step up. ‘I don’t feel like I’ve had to always talk him through it,’ said the senior member of the partnership. ‘He’s got that natural confidence and belief in his defending and his ability. ‘The rest just comes with experience, learning when to make the big tackles, when to make the passes and do the right things really. ‘Getting international recognition will help him with his confidence and belief that he can really push on in his career. ‘Ryan’s own goal, he got his head on it and it came off the wrong side. As soon as it touches his head, you know Offy’s in trouble.’