Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous has spoken out about his horror challenge on Rangers full-back Borna Barisic, as quoted by the Daily Record, and his comments should be a cause for concern for the SFA.
Porteous was given his marching order by referee Nick Walsh an hour into the Gers’ 3-0 win at Easter Road in December.
With his side already out of the game, the red mist descended and the centre-back launched himself into a challenge.
Hibs fans were incensed by the red card, with the suggestion that as Porteous won the ball, it wasn’t even a foul, never mind a sending off.
Yet, that blinkered view ignored the fact that the 20-year-old knew exactly what he was doing. Eyeing up Barisic, he actually slowed down his approach in an attempt to make sure he could take the ball and crucially, as much man as possible, with the tackle.
His straight-legged follow through was an indication of the sickening intent behind the challenge, with the Gers star very fortunate to walk away without a serious injury.
There was no shock and barely any protests from Porteous when the red card was brandished because he knew he’d just endangered the safety of an opponent.
(Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Now speaking out about the incident, he confesses it was a challenge he didn’t need to make at all in the circumstances.
What should be concerning for the country’s footballing authorities, though, is another admission.
“Instincts do kick in as well,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record. “You’ve seen me make worse tackles than that and get away with it, but it’s fine lines with a defender. You can get sent off for stuff like that and get away with it.”
“A couple of months ago I went up to Ross County that was arguably worse and I got a yellow card.”
If young players like Porteous believe they can make challenges similar to the one he did against Rangers and have a chance of staying on the pitch, there’s something seriously wrong with the officiating in the Premiership.
After the Gers game, his own manager, Jack Ross, had no defence for him and now he’s saying it wasn’t even his worst challenge of the first half of the season?
That’s worrying, to say the least.
