Porteous: From Euro Red Card Heartbreak to MLS Glory – Dreaming of Scots World Cup Redemption
Ryan Porteous is hungry to reclaim his spot in the Scotland squad for the 2026 World Cup after a tough Euro 2024 red card. Thriving at LAFC in the MLS alongside stars like Son and Lloris, he's using the experience to sharpen up against top opposition. He heaps praise on boss Steve Clarke and believes the American heat and quality will aid his international return.
Alright, lads, grab a pint because Ryan Porteous is back in the chat, and he's got his eyes firmly on a Scotland shirt for the 2026 World Cup in the USA. The 26-year-old centre-back, now strutting his stuff with Los Angeles FC in the MLS, hasn't pulled on the dark blue since that nightmare red card in the Euro 2024 opener against Germany. Remember it? Yeah, that clumsy challenge on Ilkay Gundogan in the box that left Tartan Army fans cursing into their half-time pies.
Porteous, with 13 caps under his belt – all courtesy of Steve Clarke – was a mainstay during Euro qualifying. But post-red, he's only featured once for the national side. Speaking to Sky Sports, the ex-Hibs and Watford man didn't mince words: he's turned that Munich misery into fuel. 'After feeling sorry for myself for a bit,' he admitted, 'every session's been about forcing my way back.' Fair play, Ryan – we've all had those mornings after a dodgy kebab where you swear off the lot, but this lad's channeling it into top-notch footy.
He's played a shedload of games since, reflected hard, and reckons every cock-up's a lesson. 'Negatives bring positives,' he says, all philosophical like he's reading self-help books between LA sunsets. And the proof? Stellar performances in the last six months. Now, he's just keeping his head down, grafting away. It's the kind of bounce-back story that makes you raise a glass – from adversity to LAFC hero.
Big shoutout to the gaffer, Steve Clarke, too. The man who's dragged Scotland to three straight major tournaments (Euro 2020, 2024, and now the World Cup). Porteous can't praise him enough: 'He's always backed me when others haven't. Switched to a back four for qualifying, won games, but gives credit to the players. Time someone gave him his dues.' Clarke's the longest-serving boss, most matches managed – proper legend status. Porteous owes him big time.
But here's the juicy bit: how's MLS treating him? After ditching Watford in 2025, he fancied a curveball instead of Championship yo-yo or a Scottish return. 'Not many from Dalkeith end up in LA,' he laughs, battling the heat like a true Brit on holiday. First season? Impressive. And get this – he's rubbing shoulders with the elite: Heung-Min Son (still peaking at 32), World Cup winner Hugo Lloris in goal, and upcoming clashes with Messi and Suarez. Throw in Chucky Lozano, Miguel Almiron, even Thomas Muller – MLS ain't the retirement home stereotype anymore. These are beasts who've won it all, and off-pitch, they're top blokes too.
Will it pay dividends for the World Cup? Porteous thinks so. 'Used to the heat now, facing South Americans weekly – it'll suit.' Scotland's prep will be spot-on, but that MLS edge? Gold. Imagine him marshalling the backline against Yankee heatwaves and samba flair. It's like training with the Avengers of footy.
So, while Clarke mulls his future (contract up post-World Cup), Porteous is plotting his comeback. From red-card villain to potential World Cup warrior – if that's not a tale to toast, I don't know what is. Keep grafting, Ryan; the Tartan Army's got your back. Slàinte!