Ryan Porteous on his Scotland exile, Steve Clarke relationship and ‘things that people don’t see’

Instead, he was thousands of miles away at what he terms a “practice facility” in California. Jumping on top of him were not Scotland international teammates but those from Los Angeles FC. “When Kenny McLean scored (against Denmark) from the halfway line, I’ve got half the team in LA shouting and screaming for Scotland!” the defender recalled. “It was brilliant."

Due to the time difference, he was able to sit and watch most of the qualifiers after training. “Obviously being in the mode of being a fan is only good up to a point," he noted. "You want to be involved, so I’m delighted to be back again.”

Porteous has played just one minute plus injury time for the national team – against Greece last year – since being sent off in the first half of the opening match of Euro 2024 against Germany.

The received wisdom is he was being punished for his rash, penalty-conceding challenge on Ilkay Gundogan in Munich, with Scotland already 2-0 down. The roof subsequently caved in and Scotland were beaten 5-1.

The pitiful sight of Porteous waiting for the trap door to open at the Allianz Arena - there is a hatch leading to the underground players’ tunnel - after he was given his marching orders is still burned in the mind. For him as much as anyone.

Still on good terms with former Scotland boss

The first surprise on seeing him again is his lack of bitterness towards Steve Clarke, the manager who initially handed him his chance before seemingly ghosting him. In actual fact they continued to enjoy a healthy relationship and were in contact throughout the time he was being overlooked.

“That happens in football, it’s just one of those things,” Porteous reflected. “I’ve had a career where I’m up and down, I’m left and right, you just need to bounce back from it.

“But it was a fantastic experience for me to be part of that run we went on. It helped me grow massively.

“I don’t look at it as being unfair. Me and the old gaffer (Clarke) spoke regularly. We had loads of conversations, both when I was in and out of the squad. Those are the things that people obviously don’t see.

“They maybe think Steve Clarke is the type of person who wouldn’t phone you or text you. But he did. We spoke loads to be honest. He was really honest with me.

"I texted him when he left the role and he messaged back eager to see me get back in the squad. Everyone knows Steve is a manager who, if he picks a squad and they do well for them and they get to a tournament, he’s loyal.”

Porteous perhaps didn’t help himself. Clarke finally played him again against Greece in a Nations League play-off in March last year with Scotland desperately defending a 1-0 lead given to them by Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty. Sent on after 89 minutes to replace Anthony Ralston, he could realistically have seen red once more with a clumsy challenge.

He wasn’t picked again by Clarke although he was placed on stand-by for the World Cup. Already in the States, having joined LAFC from Watford, he would have made for a handy replacement.

In the event he wasn’t required. He still flew cross country to Boston to join in the fun when his schedule – the Major League Soccer season had only paused for the World Cup - allowed. He didn’t have tickets but he did at least taste the Tartan Army invasion of Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. “I had a few days off at one point and I went out to Boston,” he recalled. "I didn’t manage to go to the games, but I saw my friends and family who were over and went to the baseball as well. Being in that fan environment, it just gives you that extra little bit of hunger to get back.”

And now he is back, at the behest of new manager Sebastien Pocognoli rather than Clarke. Porteous, who was in action as recently as Sunday in the 2-1 loss to Seattle Sounders, has replaced the injured Stephen Welsh. He has been joined by fellow late call-up David Bates, who returns from an even longer exile of seven years following an injury to Luis Binks.

The delight is written across Porteous’ tanned face. “It’s very hot (out there),” he says. “They are actually choking for a bit of rain just now.”

He jokes that he might just be the first person ever to move from Dalkeith, where he grew up and stayed while with Hibs, to LA. There were stop-offs at the equally unprepossessing Watford and Preston, where he was on loan, in between times.

Even the accent has had a glow-up. “I’ve had to change it so that people can understand me over there,” he said. “For the first couple of months, everyone was asking me to repeat myself.”

One thing hasn’t changed. He laments that he is still losing his hair. “I used to blame the wind at East Mains (Hibs’ training ground) for losing my hair, but it’s still falling out over in LA even without the wind!” he smiled.

He hopes the fans will recognise his old qualities minus the impetuousness that has bedevilled his performances in the past, stretching back to his time at Hibs. It’s still slightly surreal to see him listed in the same team as Son Heung-min, who left Spurs to join LAFC for an MLS record fee of £20 million two summers ago.

“Son is brilliant,” he said. “Some high-profile guys like him maybe get a reputation for going to America and taking it easy.

“But he has been unbelievable. He plays basically every single game and gives absolutely 100 per cent. He’s one of the best in every game and every training session. He’s a really top, top guy as well.”