In his first game as manager, it was the worst possible start for Michael Beale, and just about the last player Rangers would have wanted to inflict the damage. When Ryan Porteous put Hibernian in front after just eight minutes, he raced back up the pitch to celebrate, cupping his ears as he went. He didn’t look like someone who is about be unveiled at Ibrox anytime soon.
Mercifully for Rangers, it all came good in the end, Beale secured the three points his managerial debut needed and Porteous, linked with a move to Ibrox in the next transfer window, finished up on the losing side. The 23-year-old centre half doesn’t half relish these occasions though.
Even without the recent speculation surrounding his future, Porteous would have been prominent here. The defender has become a lightning rod for controversy on nights such as these, ever since that game at Easter Road three years ago when he needlessly scythed down Borna Barisic and caused what felt like an international incident.
Since then, he seems to have rubbed Rangers up the wrong way. The following season, he so upset Steven Gerrard in a 2-2 draw at Easter Road that the manager refused to acknowledge him afterwards. There was more evidence of the animosity between them when Porteous celebrated Hibs’ League Cup semi-final victory by saying, “do I look happy?”
Add to that his sending-off last season for a challenge on Joe Aribo — Hibs unsuccessfully appealed the decision — and you wonder how on earth Porteous is being linked with a transfer to Rangers as he enters the last six months of his contract. Having turned down a new deal at Easter Road, he will have plenty of options in the weeks ahead, but it will be a surprise if he is weighing up a move along the M8.
For one thing, he divides opinion in Scotland, never mind around Govan, and he would be well-advised to make a fresh start in another country, where his reputation and his baggage mean nothing. For another, his manager, Lee Johnson, rates him highly and would prefer not to be up against him in the Premiership next season.
Lastly, Rangers don’t seem to be interested. So far there has been no contact between the clubs and the word from Ibrox is that there won’t be either, although this performance last night might cause Beale to think again. Porteous was impressive at the heart of a brave Hibs performance, and he wasn’t even playing in his usual position.
Eyebrows were raised before kick-off when he lined up in central midfield, dismissing as nonsense any suggestion that, with his future in doubt, he might not be in the right frame of mind. He took just eight minutes to give his team a shock lead.
Joe Newell swung in the corner, John Lundstram was posted missing and Porteous swivelled his neck to direct a firm header high into the net. It was the latest in a catalogue of episodes that have made Porteous a pantomime villain in matches against Rangers. The mischievous celebration that followed provoked an angry reaction from the Rangers supporters he passed.
In truth, the goal was also the product of a hopelessly stagnant Rangers defence. With a list of centre halvebacks still injured, they had Lundstram and James Sands, both midfielders, occupying the middle of a back four that had young Adam Devine at left back. It was a while before that rearguard found its feet.
Porteous nearly grabbed another when he shot over, despite a challenge from Malik Tillman that had some claiming for a penalty. Fashion Sakala equalised for Rangers, but Kevin Nisbet was soon dancing through a gap in the home defence to restore Hibs’ lead. Marijan Cabraja could have extended their lead after Porteous robbed Tillman in central midfield. Then Élie Youan had his shot saved by Allan McGregor.
In the end, Beale can claim to have made the start he wanted, thanks to a much better second half, when Ryan Jack turned in an equaliser and Alfredo Morelos scored the winner before setting off on an angry, defiant celebration in which he booted a photographer’s camera case. It made up for the deficiencies of the first half and transformed the mood around Ibrox. Hell, there was even a booking for Porteous after he had brought down Glen Kamara on the edge of the box.
Still, there will be reservations about the way Rangers’ back four performed before the interval. Devine grew into the game, but until they welcome back Connor Goldson, Ben Davies or John Souttar, there will be a void in the middle, occupied only by square pegs in round holes. What they really need in there is a proper centre half who understands how to defend. Anybody know one?
