Ryan Porteous backs Hibs' defensive colleague Josh Doig to continue rapid rise

Defender has started all three league games so far

Josh Doig has impressed so far this season

Ryan Porteous has backed defensive colleague Josh Doig to keep progressing after the youngster’s rapid rise from League Two loan spell to Hibs’ first-choice left-back.

The 18-year-old has started all three of the Easter Road side’s Scottish Premiership matches this term and has been part of a defence yet to concede a goal from open play.

Doig’s advancement from development squad player to first-team regular via a loan spell at Queen’s Park mirrors the path trod by Porteous, whose own loan spell at Edinburgh City in the 2016/17 campaign catapulted him into the Hibs first team.

"Loans are vital for players at that age,” Porteous said. “You need to get battered about, learn when and when not to tackle, and when to stand up.

"At Queen’s Park Josh was playing in some brilliant games, but there were times at Edinburgh City where we got battered up and down by 35-year-old guys who wanted to try and hurt you.

"It's about learning his trade and he's done that so far.”

Speaking ahead of the home match with Motherwell on Saturday, Porteous said: “Josh is still to come out of his shell a bit but he's still just a young boy.

"His performances on the park have been brilliant. He's a young, confident lad with a lot of energy driving forward and to be playing over Lewis Stevenson, a player who has been consistently playing for the club for many years, is really impressive.

"I hope he can keep putting in the performances and we can back it up as well."

Porteous has made 51 appearances for Hibs since breaking in to the first team and is well-placed to offer his younger colleague some words of wisdom.

"Just be yourself and be confident,” he advised. “Don't hold back in talking to your team-mates and tell us when we're wrong. Take advice off me and Paul [Hanlon], and Lewis, even though he's not playing.

"We’re not going to be annoyed by a young boy coming up and having his say.

“If Josh is playing every week we want him to be just as important as everyone else. We'll look after him while he's on the pitch, but he should give us a bit back as well.

"I was a bit tentative to start with but John McGinn told me to be myself and be confident like I was with the Under-20s.

"Josh is doing that just now and long may it continue."