Porteous focused only on derby amid transfer talk

Ryan Porteous is adamant he will not allow the possibility of an imminent departure from Hibernian to distract him from the task of trying to knock in-form Hearts out of the Scottish Cup this weekend.

The Edinburgh rivals meet in the fourth round at Easter Road tomorrow in a match that could prove to be the defender’s last in green and white.

Porteous has already made it clear he will not extend his contract beyond the end of this season, and Hibs are open to selling the Scotland centre-back this month if they receive a satisfactory offer.

Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson revealed on Thursday that his club have made a bid for the 23-year-old, while he has also been linked with Italians Udinese, among others.

“As far as I’m aware, I’ll be here after the game on Sunday,” Porteous said yesterday.

“There have been a few bids and conversations, but that’s down to my agent and the club to sort.

“I just concentrate on my football. We’ve got Hearts to concentrate on on Sunday, so that’s where my head’s been at.

“I’ve got people surrounding me and they know how to manage me. They’ve been there for years.

“I switch myself off from social media. I’ve done that for the last couple of years. I don’t read it and I think it’s helped me massively.”

Hibs boss Lee Johnson has no worries about fielding Porteous tomorrow, despite speculation about his future ratcheting up as the end of the January window draws closer.

“Ryan’s been excellent in both centre-half and central midfield and that’s why he’s attracting all this attention,” said Johnson.

“But Ryan’s absolutely focused.”