RYAN PORTEOUS enjoyed a dream debut for Scotland after being pitched into Steve Clarke’s starting XI for the 0-0 draw away to Ukraine that secured the national team’s status as Nations League Group B1 winners – and the Hibernian centre-half was thrilled to be able to reflect on a job well done after the full-time whistle.
The 23-year-old put in an assured and mature performance on a night where it was needed most after a combination of injuries and suspensions kept Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson, Scott McKenna, Grant Hanley and Scott McTominay out of the squad, leaving Clarke short of options at the back.
Porteous was given the nod on a night where the Scots only required a point to seal their promotion in the Nations League – and secure second seeding for the upcoming qualifiers for the 2024 European Championships, as well as a play-off berth for the tournament, should they fail to qualify via the conventional route – and played an important role as Scotland battled for a hard-earned point in Krakow.
