Hibernian hero Kevin Harper has branded Ryan Porteous ‘one of the best defenders in Scotland’ despite the young centre half being left out of Jack Ross’ starting line up for the past three games.
The 21-year-old did not feature at all in the 2-0 win over Aberdeen having previously sat out a victory by the same scoreline at Dundee United seven days earlier amid speculation over his future.
Kevin Nisbet appeared as a late substitute against The Dons, but was unable to repeat his impact from last week’s success at St Mirren - during which he won a corner headed in by Porteous to open the scoring.
Both players were the target of English sides during the January window, with Hibs turning down seven figure bids from Birmingham City and Millwall respectively.
Former Hibs winger Harper, who later experienced management at Albion Rovers, believes Ross and sporting director Graeme Mathie were right to reject those offers.
Porteous has found himself replaced by veteran Darren McGregor over the past three games after a difficult evening against Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos at the end of January.
But Harper backed the young defender to bounce back when the Easter Road boss sees fit to put him back into the side during his appearance as a pundit on Hibs TV’s ‘The Match’ prior to the win over Derek McInnes’ struggling Aberdeen side.
“For me, Porteous is one of the best centre halves in the league,” he told the programme.
“I think he's one of the best in Scotland. He's aggressive, old-fashioned, but he can play as well and I think the game is losing that.”
Porteous has made 78 appearances for the men in green and white, scoring eight times.
Hibs face a trip to Dingwall for a meeting with Ross County this weekend.
