Hibs travel to Ayrshire to take on Kilmarnock this weekend, but will Ryan Porteous make his anticipated return?
Porteous hasn’t featured at senior level since picking up a long-term injury at the start of this year. He has been on international duty over the past week with the Scotland U21s though.
Representing his country. (Photo by Juergen Schwarz/Bongarts/Getty Images)
With Hibs leaking goals for fun at the moment, is it time for the centre-half to return?
Hibs need Porteous now
A few weeks ago his return wasn’t urgently needed, but now, Paul Heckingbottom will be desperate to reintroduce the young defender.
He has likely watched in horror as his defence has shipped 14 goals in their last four games. Granted, they haven’t been helped by the lack of defensive midfielders in front of them, but it still makes for grim reading.
They have been poor recently. (Photo by Callum Landells/Getty Images)
Paul Hanlon has looked slower than usual in recent games, often second to a 50-50 ball. Adam Jackson has looked solid in some games, but the recent arrival still looks like he’s adapting to the SPFL.
Porteous’ return could allow one of them to step out of the firing line. There is potential, should results go against them, for Hibs to go bottom of the league with defeat to Killie.
Heckingbottom simply can’t let that happen and he needs his defence to step up to the mark. Porteous will likely be pushing for a starting spot based on recent form.