Lee Johnson knows a multi-million pound centre-back when he sees one.
And in Ryan Porteous, he reckons everyone else can spot one too after the former Hibs ace helped Scotland scalp Spain. The stopper was among Steve Clarke’s stand-out performers on Tuesday night as the Scots claimed a famous win over the former world champions. It was only in December Leith gaffer Johnson predicted Porteous 24, would grow into a £20million star of the future.
But Johnson reckons it’s taken just three months for the player to live up to that billing after his impressive display at Hampden. Watford didn’t need much convincing on his potential, shelling out £450,000 to take the Hibs academy recruit to the English Championship. But Johnson believes it won’t be long before the Hornets are making a profit on that investment – and that’s good news for his side too, who stand to bank 20 per cent of any future fee. Johnson said: “Yeah, he probably already is (looking like the £20m player I thought he could become). I’ve sold players (for big money) and he is as good as all of them.
