Porteous tips the Hibees to prevail, but it’s first things first for boss Ross
Ryan Porteous is bullish about Hibs’ chances of winning through their European Conference League qualifier against Rijeka this week.
After tackling Ross County at Easter Road this afternoon, the Leith club will immediately begin their preparations for the trip to Croatia.
Held 1-1 at home in an entertaining first leg last Thursday, they know they will have to perform better if their interest is not to be snuffed out.
However, Porteous – who as part of Hibs’ back line got a decent view of the scoring opportunities spurned by his team-mates – is convinced the Hibees will prevail. “We will go over there with the confidence and belief we can go through,” said the centre-back.
“Rijeka are a good team, but they are nothing we should fear.
“I don’t think they are any better than Celtic or Rangers, and I think we would fancy ourselves against them if they came to Easter Road, or even away from home.
“I thought we turned in a good performance in the first leg.
“If it had been a league game, we would have been disappointed not to walk away 2, 3 or 4-1 up.
“I think we could have been a bit cuter up front.
“Kevin Nisbet will be disappointed he never converted because he has such high standards, and Dan Mckay at the end – although he is only a young
lad – will probably be disappointed he didn’t score.
“Dan has great energy, and you can see Scotty Allen’s quality as well. So we go over there with real hope that we can go through.
“The goal we lost was disappointing, defending our back post again and not stopping the cross.
“But, listen, we can only take the positives from it.
“We dominated the game in large parts, and could have been three up, so we will look forward to meeting them again.
“The away goals rule has been scrapped, so their goal at Easter Road is not as significant as it would have been in the past.
“Personally, I think that is the way it should be because it gives us a level playing field and we can go in with belief we can win through.
“As it is now, it is 1-1 at half-time and we reset and go again.”
Part of the reason for the Scot’s confidence has been the impact made by new signing, Jake Doyle-hayes, voted Man of the Match against Rijeka for his classy midfield display.
“It is brilliant to have him in. Jake just adds to the quality and strength we have in midfield,” said Porteous.
“I knew he was a good player when he was at St Mirren. He was always one that the gaffer outlined to be a threat with the quality of his passing.
“He also gives you a bit of steel at the back. Fans might not realise how much he gives defenders cover, and gets into areas where he is picking up the ball.”
Equally enthusiastic is the man behind the signing, Hibs manager Jack Ross.
“Jake is doing exactly what we brought him to the club for,” he said.
“I thought he would give us a different dynamic in the middle of the pitch, and he has very quickly shown what he will bring.
“I don’t doubt for a second he will continue to do that because he is that type of player.”
Yet, while also relishing the prospect of the return in Croatia, Ross insists it will not influence his team selection for today’s league fixture.
“I don’t think you can plan too far ahead because the Ross County game is massive for us,” he said.
“We have started the league campaign the way we want to continue.”