Ryan Porteous can win a move to Celtic by impressing for Hibs at Parkhead, according to Tam McManus.
Lee Johnson takes his side along the M8 to face the champions on Saturday, hoping to pile on the misery after their painful Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig in midweek. The Easter Road club are also going into the Scottish Premiership clash on the back of a defeat, after missing a plethora of chances in their 1-0 loss to Dundee United at Tannadice on Tuesday night.
Porteous is out of contract at the end of the season, and his stock is high after an highly impressive Scotland debut last month. The defender has also scored in two of his last three outings for his boyhood club and can speak to potential suitors from January. A new deal is on the table from Hibs, but the 25-year-old is yet to agree an extension to his stay in Leith.
Johnson is keen to keep him, but said this week that Porteous is being “targeted” by opposition players and a lack of protection could see him forced out of Scottish football. But Mcmanus reckons he could yet stick around should Celtic make a move. And a strong showing against them could convince Ange Postecoglou to try and sign him for nothing.
“I think this is a great rehearsal for him to possibly get a move to Celtic,” McManus told PLZ. “He suits the way Celtic play down to a tee. He’s got pace, he can play a high line and he’s great on the ball. He comes out of defence and creates overloads in the middle of the park and isn't scared to make passes.
“I think if he puts a good performance in and impresses Ange tomorrow, then there’s every opportunity that Celtic would have a bite at him on a free.”
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