Lee Johnson has opened up on the latest surrounding the future of Ryan Porteous.
The Hibs star is out of contract in the summer with no fresh agreement yet in place. The Easter Road gaffer has revealed a 'really good and strong offer' has been made to the defender as the capital club bid to keep their star man for the long-term.
The 23-year-old was outstanding for Scotland and boss Steve Clarke in the Nations League finale with Ukraine. The 0-0 draw in Poland secured the point required to finish in top spot in the section and with that make sure a Euro 2024 play-off spot is in the bag before the qualifying takes place, with the draw later today. His matchwinner against Motherwell was his second goal in two games after a strike against Ross County with the Hibees now third in the Premiership standings following a run of four league wins on the bounce.
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Providing a latest update on Porteous' future, Johnson said: "We’ve offered him a really good contract, a strong one. There is immediate pressure from me for an answer but as we near January the screw has to turn on that a little bit.
"We think the right thing for Hibs is obviously securing Ryan and that’s why we’ve made such a strong offer but if not the world moves on and we’ll make sure we have a succession plan."
On the Scotland internationals performance at Easter Road, he added: "I thought our back four was fantastic. Paul Hanlon was outstanding as well and really showed his experience but the main man at the moment in terms of the limelight is Porto and the commitment and the bravery to score that goal, it was a helluva goal and I’m looking forward to watching it back.
"I think at the moment that epitomises him, committed, winning challenges and a goal threat as well in the box. I think he took a few whacks, he was on the floor a fair bit. I think he’s alright, I think he was playing the hero on that one, I’ve no idea."
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