Michael Beale breaks silence over Rangers Ryan Porteous transfer links as he praises Hibs star for Ibrox showing
MICHAEL BEALE lavished praise on Ryan Porteous after the Hibs star inflicted an early shock on his Rangers side at Ibrox - but insisted his name HASN'T come up as a transfer target for next season.
We told you how Porteous has as many as six English championship sides chasing him for next season having told Hibs that his future lies away from Easter Road.
We told you how Rangers weren't interested in signing him, despite suggestions from Kris Boyd among others that the Scotland star would be perfect for the Old Firm.
And Beale has confirmed that - although he reckons he "is a good young player" who impressed "in a new position tonight".
Beale told BBC Sportsound after the 3-2 win: "He's not someone we've spoken about.
"To be honest, we've not spoken about any targets right now.
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"The club had some targets they maybe had in mind.
"I've come in, I want to work with this group. Everything has been a bit of a whirlwind over the last two weeks.
"My focus has firmly been on this group.
"I think Ryan is a good young player.
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"He sort of played in a new position tonight. Fair play to him. He scored a goal and I've seen him come through, really.
"I was here when he made his debut and he's gone on to play for Scotland, but at the moment, I think he's part of their squad and I wouldn't want to speculate on that.
"I know it's come out that he's not going to sign a contract, that means he must have something on his mind.
If that's the case, that wouldn't be Rangers as we haven't discussed it yet."
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