Ryan Porteous returns to Scotland squad after Stephen Welsh injury

Ryan Porteous has been recalled to the Scotland squad by Sebastien Pocognoli following an injury to Swansea City's Stephen Welsh, BBC Sport reported. The 27-year-old defender's most recent international appearance came against Greece in March 2025, leaving him seeking a first Scotland outing in more than a year as he returns to the national-team setup.

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The recall follows a spell in Major League Soccer that Porteous believes has brought greater consistency to his club performances. He moved to the league in August 2025 and is now based in Los Angeles. Speaking to BBC Sport, he described the current campaign as among his most consistent over the past three or four years, while explaining how the demands of playing in the United States had taken time to absorb.

Porteous said the volume of matches, lengthy flights and recovery requirements initially surprised him. Adjusting to that combination had been difficult, but he felt more comfortable once he established a routine. He lives in Pasadena, close to his training base, and said avoiding a lengthy daily journey through traffic was a consideration in choosing where to stay.

On the pitch, Porteous pointed to the attacking quality he regularly encounters as an important part of his experience. In his assessment, many MLS teams concentrate their strongest players in forward positions, giving him demanding assignments against strikers, wingers and attacking midfielders. He also said the league was attracting prominent players who were not simply arriving at the end of their careers.

Among those opponents has been Lionel Messi. Porteous recalled a win against the Inter Miami forward's side, but said the encounter allowed him little opportunity to relax. He stressed that the challenge extended beyond Messi, describing other forwards in the competition as players capable of operating at Premier League level. Those assessments were Porteous's own account of the standard he faces.

Back with Scotland, Porteous said his immediate focus was on professionalism and presenting himself well to Pocognoli. He acknowledged that the coach was still assessing his options and had given opportunities to different players. Scotland face North Macedonia in Glasgow on Friday, but the recall does not guarantee Porteous an appearance; his return to the side remains a selection decision.