Ryan Porteous admits he had to look at himself during his lengthy Scotland absence, as the Los Angeles FC defender prepares to represent his country again after more than 18 months away. The 27-year-old has been recalled to Sebastien Pocognoli’s Scotland squad for November’s fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland, following an injury to Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh.
Porteous’ international career took a difficult turn during Euro 2024, when he was sent off in Scotland’s opening match against Germany, a 5-1 defeat in Munich.
Despite making a return off the bench against Greece in March 2025, he has not been selected for another Scotland squad until now.
Rather than directing frustration towards the national team’s management, Porteous believes he had to take responsibility for his own performances.
“It’s frustrating at times, but ultimately if you’re not in a squad at the age I’m at, you need to look at yourself,” he explained.
The defender also revealed that listening to former Manchester United captain Roy Keane speaking on a podcast helped shape his mentality during his time away from the national team. Porteous took encouragement from Keane’s advice, focusing on what he could control and improving his own performances and consistency.
“I looked at myself and focused on my performances and my consistency, and I feel I’m in a good place,” he said.
The former Hibs favourite also dismissed suggestions that his relationship with former manager Steve Clarke had deteriorated, insisting the pair remained in regular contact.
“He was brilliant for me in his time, giving me lots of opportunities and, even when I wasn’t in the squad, I was still having good chats with him,” he said.
Despite spending much of the past two years away from the national team, Porteous insists his desire to represent Scotland has never disappeared.
“That was a real highlight of my career,” he said when reflecting on Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2024.
“I’m just glad to be back in a position where I can hopefully show that again. I’ve always had that fire in me to get back for the national team.”
Porteous will now be hoping to put that difficult night in Munich behind him when Scotland take on North Macedonia at Hampden tomorrow night.
