First home cap is icing on cake for birthday boy Porteous

RYAN Porteous admitted earning his first Scotland cap at Hampden during yesterday’s 3-0 victory against Cyprus was the ideal way to celebrate his 24th birthday.

The defender, who moved from Hibernian to English Championship side Watford in January, earned plaudits when he made his senior debut for his country in the Nations League against Ukraine last September.

Admitting to feeling a few nerves ahead of his Hampden bow, Porteous was thrilled to be part of a back three as Steve Clarke’s men triumphed in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier.

‘It was a lovely way to spend my birthday,’ he said. ‘I’ve been at international camps on the majority of my birthdays. But I don’t think many people get to play for Scotland on their birthday. It is something that I will be able to cherish.

‘There were a few nerves beforehand but it was special hearing the national anthem. When you are growing up playing football on the street, you dream of moments like that in front of 50,000 people. As birthdays go that is right up there.’

Porteous, along with his team-mates, had to be alert on a slippy pitch but he remained composed to help keep a clean sheet, with John McGinn’s first-half effort and Scott McTominay’s late double sealing the points.

‘If you would have said beforehand we would score three goals and keep a clean sheet, I would have bitten your hand off,’ he said.

‘On paper, it is a team we maybe should be beating but they are tough opponents. They have had some good results in friendlies recently and beat Israel 3-2 away from home.

‘We knew they had quality all over the pitch and could hurt us. But it was a professional performance and then Scott comes on and gets us over the line.’

Clarke’s men now face top seeds Spain in their second tie on Tuesday night at the national stadium.

Porteous knows it will be a tough challenge but feels Scotland should approach the game with confidence.

‘Spain will be a completely different game but we wanted to start this group with a win and a clean sheet,’ he added. ‘It is a long time since Scotland had won their opening group game in Euro qualifying.

‘But we are a team who want to set new records. We are delighted to do that but Spain is going to be tough.’