Ryan Porteous has opened up on the 'very difficult' decision to not renew his Hibs contract as he explained his reasons for seeking a new challenge.
The Easter Road star will be free to talk to any interested clubs about pre-contract terms in a matter of weeks when the January transfer window opens with his deal up in the summer. The capital club will be faced with the huge decision on whether to hold onto the Scotland international until the end of the campaign and lose him for nothing or cash in during January and make a little bit of money off the defender.
Lee Johnson has admitted the stopper has remained the 'perfect professional' despite speculation over his future daily and the duo have had an 'honest' relationship throughout the process. Porteous will be available to face Rangers and likely called upon at Ibrox this evening as he revealed he is ready to seek a new challenge and be taken out of his comfort zone.
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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