Lee Johnson has urged Ryan Porteous to put pen to paper on a new deal at Hibs as he labelled the defender a 'spiritual leader' both on and off the pitch.
The 23-year-old was the matchwinner at Easter Road as Hibs made it four wins on the bounce in the Premiership to move into third place. It's back to back games that the stopper has netted in since landing his first Scotland cap and winning huge plaudits for his performance against Ukraine in Poland.
Porteous is a first name on the team-sheet in the capital with his boss revealing he has been offered a 'fantastic deal' to remain at the club with his contract expiring in the summer. He is yet to decide on his future but Johnson is certain the 'loved and respected' defender would be best placed staying on in Leith.
READ MORE: Ryan Porteous' Hibs future latest with 'strong' contract offered reveals Lee Johnson
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Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland, he said: "Yeah, I'm very pleased for him. He's a good lad.
"We've talked a lot about making better decisions in games, less emotive decisions. He's consistent in the way he plays, he's fantastic on the ball and he's turning into a spiritual leader for us both on and off the pitch.
"That's what we wanted to encourage - those leadership qualities from the first moment, and he's got that shirt, he's one of the first picks on the team sheet and I think he feels that. He has the gravitas at this level now to go on and be a top player."
He continued: "I think it's just part of football. I think it would be wise for him to sign a contract, it's a brilliant home for him. He's loved and respected here, he's going to get everything that he needs, his best mate plays with him, he's come through the academy with a lot of coaches putting a lot of effort in.
"And then if you go, you go on merit because a big club has played a lot of money for you. He enjoys the club, At the moment it's not too intense around 'you must sign now, there's a deadline now', but we've offered him a fantastic deal, let me tell you!
"We'll give him a little bit of time to acclimatise and see whether he fancies committing his future to Hibs."
READ NEXT:
- Lee Johnson savours Hibs win in Dingwall but puts down 'one frustration' after 'great football'
- Ryan Porteous reveals tough Hibs love from Lee Johnson as defender avoids Scotland 'comedown'
- Three things we learned as Hibs extend good form against Ross County thanks to Porteous and Boyle
- Nohan Kenneh explains Hibs 'step-up' from Leeds United stint and the big factor behind it
- Hibs star Ryan Porteous hits back at Scotland 'wanting me to fail' critics after stunning debut
