John Hughes reckons Ryan Porteous has been playing with a target on his back for years. And it’s because of his performances under that intense pressure that he expects the big guns will have their sights fixed firmly on the Hibs defender as he enters the final five months of his contract.
Easter Road chiefs have yet to have contact from any club over the 23-year-old who knocked back the final offer of a new deal last month. Record Sport understands there’s no interest from Rangers despite rumours to the contrary gathering pace earlier this week.
But Championship clubs Stoke City and Millwall are keeping tabs on Porteous while West Brom, Sunderland, Luton Town and Watford have also been linked. And former Hibs boss Hughes - a lifelong supporter of the club who he also represented as a player for four years - isn’t surprised. He’s just gutted to see a future captain and leader preparing to depart Leith. Especially as he now expects Porteous to leave for nothing next summer.
