Contract rebel Ryan Porteous has stated he is ready for the next move in his career and to be taken out of his "comfort zone" after knocking back a new Hibs deal.
The defender will end a decade with the club in the summer but boss Lee Johnson is set to keep faith in the Scotland cap when the league campaign resumes against Rangers. Speculation has ramped up over Porteous and the prospect of a January exit from Easter Road as Hibs look to recoup some cash before the 23-year-old leaves for nothing in the summer.
The Ibrox side, Celtic and several English Championship teams have been touted as potential destinations, but Porteous is keeping focused on the clash with Michael Beale's men and climbing the league table where Hibs currently sit in eighth place. Ahead of the Thursday night showdown in Govan, Porteous insisted it had been a tough call to reject Hibs' offer.
He told Sky Sports: "It was a very difficult one. It was something that I didn't take lightly and a decision I didn't make fast, but I've been here for a long time.
"I felt like I was progressing very well as a player. I think it maybe just comes to that stage in everyone's career where you need to be taken out of your comfort zone a bit, to see a new challenge and take it in your stride, and see how good you can become as a player.
"It's a short career. I know players have moved on from the club that they love, or the club they really like playing for and have done great things. So, I am ready to take that step."
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