Comment: Ryan Porteous has huge potential, but still needs to learn

Ryan Porteous clips Ryan Kent at Easter Road, resulting in a penalty

His outstanding performance for 84 minutes against Rangers at Easter Road on Wednesday was evidence of that.

All the traits typically associated with the centre-back were on display: aggression, bravery, determination. Porteous was immense.

Immense that was until he dangled a leg to present Ryan Kent with an opportunity to hit the deck and referee John Beaton with a decision to make.

It might have been a ‘soft’ penalty, but Porteous showed in that split second that Steven Gerrard might have had a point after all.

“The kid isn’t learning,” said the then Rangers manager after that tackle on Joe Aribo at Ibrox in September which resulted in a red card. He was referring to a previous tackle against Rangers.

The abuse Porteous received on social media after that was totally unacceptable, and his displeasure about the comments was demonstrated by his tongue-in-cheek ‘do I look happy’ jibe in the post-match TV interview after the cup semi-final.

Poking fun at Gerrard for the “silly question” about his future at Ibrox – just a few days before he quit to join Aston Villa – was harmless and Hibs fans lapped it up. But it did backfire somewhat, Rangers fans enjoying the last laugh.

Porteous must keep calm and move on. He has the raw ingredients to reach the top if deficiencies in his game are ironed out. Do that, and he will be an international player soon enough.