Watch: Hibs and Scotland starlet bursts ball with tackle

Ryan Porteous is not only one of the most promising centre-backs in Scotland he is perhaps the most committed on the field.

• READ MORE: Ryan Porteous hopes to keep Hibs place ahead of mentor Darren McGregor

Both sides of his burgeoning career were on display on Tuesday evening as Scotland Under-21s defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in Doetinchem.

The Hibs centre-back was one of the key men in a pivotal win which keeps the young Scots in the hunt for qualification for the European Championship finals. A Fraser Hornby double ensured Scotland sit second, level on points with Ukraine and behind group leaders England.

At the back, Porteous formed a formidable partnership with Rangers’ Ross McCrorie as they repelled the Dutch attacks.

The 19-year-old has been an able deputy for Darren McGregor in the heart of Hibs boss Neil Lennon’s defence, with fans enjoying his whole-hearted approach to defending. His performances have been such that he has staked his claim to be regarded as a first-team regular.

Porteous, who has made 10 appearances for Hibs this campaign, marked his performance against the Netherlands with a thunderous tackle on the home side’s captain Guus Til. It resulted in the game being stopped because the Hibs star managed to burst the ball with the challenge.

Such is his committed approach to the game, something which enamours him to fans, it is the second time he’s made a tackle which has resulted in the ball being burst. Unfortunately the first time against Motherwell for the Hibs under-17s saw him miss four months after the collision led to a broke ankle.

Ryan Porteous was impressive in Scotland's win over the Netherlands. Picture: SNS/SFA Craig Foy

However, it was a setback he bounced back from. Starring on loan at Edinburgh City he returned to Easter Road where he has continued to develop, blending the qualities of the modern centre-back with that of a throwback when defenders simply put their body on the line to keep the ball away from their goal at all costs.

• READ MORE: Hibs boss hails progress of ‘consistent’ Ryan Porteous

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