Ryan Porteous has been called up by new Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli for the Nations League matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland, ending a long spell out of the international picture.
The 27-year-old centre-back, who now plays for MLS side LAFC, has featured for just one minute for his country since his red card in Scotland's 5-1 defeat to Germany at Euro 2024. He watched from Los Angeles as Kenny McLean scored from the halfway line against Denmark at Hampden a year ago, cheering alongside his club team-mates.
Fan mode in LA
Porteous said: "It's tough (being left out) when the squads get announced and for a couple of days after that. But as soon as you're watching the games, you become a fan straight away and want the team to do well. I hadn't experienced that for a while. For the World Cup qualifiers I was able to sit and watch them straight after training because of the time difference."
"When Kenny scored from the halfway line, I had half the team in LA shouting and screaming for Scotland. It was brilliant. But obviously, being in that fan mode is only good up to a point. You want to be involved, so I'm delighted to be back again."
Reflecting on Euro 2024
Porteous started Scotland's opening game against Germany before his sending off in the 5-1 defeat. He does not believe the red card hindered his Scotland career.
He said: "I reflect on it, just in terms of what we did to actually qualify and get to the Euros. That run we went on was probably the best I've seen from a Scotland team. So to be a part of that was incredible. As a nation, we're not getting over the line in those tournaments. But, first and foremost, the lads are qualifying again. The previous manager was getting us there."
"Did I pay a heavy price for the red card in Germany? No, I think people read too much into that. In the conversations I had with Steve after the Euros and in the next qualifying campaign, the red card never came up."
Relationship with Clarke
Porteous maintained regular contact with former manager Steve Clarke during his time out of the squad, despite being omitted from the World Cup qualifying squad altogether.
He said: "It happens in football. I've had a career where I'm up and down, left and right. You just need to bounce back from it. It was a fantastic experience for me to be part of that run we went on. It helped me grow massively. So I don't look at it as being unfair. Me and the old gaffer spoke regularly."
"We had loads of conversations, both when I was in and out of the squad. Those are the things that people don't see. They maybe think Steve is the type of person who wouldn't phone or text you. But he did. We spoke loads and he was really honest with me. I texted him when he left the role and he messaged back. He was eager to see me get back in the squad."
New start under Pocognoli
Porteous now has a chance to impress Pocognoli ahead of the Euro 2028 qualifiers, which begin in March. He believes his MLS spell has improved him as a player.
He said: "It's brilliant to be back. I've had a long spell out, so it's been good to see the lads again. It's been a new environment since the gaffer came in and I'm buzzing. I've still got my strengths as a player and I feel like I've added to my game as well from being in a different league."
