STEVE Clarke has defended Ryan Porteous following his weekend mauling by Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin and revealed the Hibernian centre half is in line to make his Scotland debut in this international break.
Goodwin singled out Porteous for scathing criticism after the Pittodrie club suffered a 3-1 defeat to Hibs in a cinch Premiership game at Easter Road on Saturday.
He branded the defender “a cheat” after referee David Dickinson sent off Liam Scales following a tussle with the defender and awarded the home team penalty which Martin Boyle scored.
But Clarke has stated the 23-year-old, who has become a hate figure with Rangers fans following a series of high-profile flashpoints in recent seasons, has an unfair reputation.
“I am not aware of a media storm around him,” he said. “Ryan is fine. I spoke to him and he is fine, he is comfortable. I think we should protect all the players if we can.
“Listen, once you are out there on the pitch you are there to be judged and some people will judge you the other way,
“I will only judge Ryan by what he does for us, how he trains for us, how he works for us when he gets his chance to play. That’s how I will judge him.
“I can’t comment on what other people think of Ryan Porteous. I think (he is tarnished) unfairly.
“I have found him to be a very enthusiastic, polite young man who comes into the group, trains well, works well and is desperate to play for his country.”
Clarke was dealt a blow on Monday when Norwich City centre half Grant Hanley was forced to pull out of the Scotland squad.
Asked if Porteous could win his first cap against either Ukraine or the Republic of Ireland in the next seven days, he said: “Well if you look at it, I only have three players that would be recognised as central defenders (Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna and Kieran Tierney). It would certainly improve his chances.”
