Porteous hopeful Hampden success could help land Euro 2020 spot

Ryan Porteous is aiming to land cup success with Hibernian – and hopes that club glory could bring a Euro 2020 call.

The Hibs defender is preparing to face Motherwell in Saturday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final, with a win over the Fir Park side opening up a visit to Hampden and a shot at the final and silverware.

Porteous has played his part as Jack Ross’ side secured a top-four finish in the Premiership and are guaranteed European football. Now he wants to nail down third place and lift a trophy to complete a successful season at Easter Road.

“We guaranteed European football on Wednesday and now it’s about the cup,” he said. “We want to go and win it and Saturday is the next step towards that.

“We have put ourselves in a fantastic position and there is a big five or six weeks left now. We want success.

“We are very close to securing third place, we want to get that done, and we have a massive opportunity to get back to Hampden, right our wrongs. We want silverware and we want success and Saturday is the next step.

“Winning a cup with Hibs was my ultimate dream growing up and now I am in the position, we can try and get closer.”

Porteous believes that if he can achieve with Hibs and show his best in the remaining games, then it isn’t too late to force his way into Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the Euros.

The 22-year-old has been called up once before but hasn’t had a senior cap to add to 14 Under-21 appearances. Even with established figures ahead of him, he still believes there’s a chance of a dream end to the season.

“[Cup success] is probably going to help, though also consistency over the whole season is what the manager’s going to look at,” he said.

“I’m just going to concentrate on myself and try and maintain a high level of performance and we’ll see where it takes me.

“I know it’s bad to say but you’ll probably be looking at one or two injuries before the tournament and I could probably be in there. I’ve just got to concentrate on myself and just maintain that high level of consistency.

“I think you would be lying if you said it wasn’t at the back of your mind. Every player will want to be going. It’s a massive achievement for Scotland and to be part of that group would be amazing.”

I know there’s quality players at a very high level who are in front of me just now so I just need to maintain levels of performance and hope my name is thrown in the ring.