Ryan Porteous reveals Hibs debt to Ron Gordon as he offers alternative to new 'Bobby Moore' Watford nickname

The rebranding of Ryan Porteous as the “Scottish Bobby Moore” by Watford fans wouldn’t have been on many 2023 bingo cards.

It’s a measure of the impact the Scotland defender has made during his few months at Vicarage Road but he prefers to get back to his roots with his own comparison as “The Dalkeith Darren Dods”. Either way, the 23-year-old’s switch to the Championship down south has done nothing to diminish his sense of humour or a belief that his career can still have greater heights to hit.

After admitting he was aware of the compliment from the Hornets fans, he said: “Aye, I saw. It’s more like the Dalkeith Darren Dods, man.” Then it was down to more serious matters when he faced the media at Hampden ahead of Saturday’s opening European Championship qualifier against Cyprus before a clash with Spain next Tuesday night.

It’s almost eight weeks since Porteous made his Hibs exit after 11 years at the club and the first issue he wanted to address was to offer a tribute to Easter Road chairman Ron Gordon who died last month.

The centre-half revealed the personal touch offered by a man he holds in the highest regard and insisted there was never any acrimony over his departure, only good wishes from a guy who would go the extra yard with his players.

He said: “It was devastating news because it all happened so suddenly with Ron. I have a lot to thank him for that’s for sure. He was a good man who did a lot for the club.

“I didn’t know he was ill, I only found out when Hibs announced it. We knew he hadn’t been to the games, but we didn’t realise why. He was very honest with me. When I told him I wanted to move he didn’t stand in my way.

“He wanted to try and benefit the club as much as possible, but he didn’t stand in my