Ryan Porteous Reflects on Euro 2024 Red Card Fallout

Ryan Porteous Reflects on Red Card Incident and Its Impact

Scotland defender Ryan Porteous has opened up about the emotional toll of his red card during Scotland's Euro 2024 opener against Germany. In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Porteous described the moment as the "hardest thing I've had to go through in my career." The incident occurred after a VAR review led to a straight red card for Porteous, following a crunching tackle on German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. This tackle also resulted in a penalty, which was converted by Kai Havertz, helping Germany secure a 5-1 victory over Scotland in Munich.

The Weight of Regret

Following the match, Porteous faced a two-game suspension, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of his actions. "When you are away at the Euros..., you can't be sulking or feeling sorry for yourself; you have to help the boys," he explained.

Support from Teammates

Porteous received support from his teammates, but it was upon returning home that the full impact of his red card began to resonate with him. "I thought I did that to the best I could, but when you leave the camp, that is when it hits you," he stated. Fortunately, he has had good people around him to help him through this tough time and believes he is now in a much better emotional state.

Learning from Adversity

Despite the disappointment, Porteous views the incident as a learning opportunity not just for himself but also for other players facing similar hardships. "A lot of disappointment... it is gutting for everybody who was there and for the fans... but it was an experience I have to learn from," he said.

Onward to the Nations League

Porteous emphasized the importance of bouncing back as they shift focus to the upcoming Nations League campaign, where Scotland will face formidable opponents like Croatia, Poland, and Portugal in League A. He expressed the need for the national team to strive beyond mere qualification for tournaments and aim for greater success.

Words of Wisdom for Young Players

Offering advice for young athletes, Porteous highlighted the importance of mental resilience, particularly in avoiding distractions from social media: "If I had any advice for young people coming through, it would be not to look at your phone and social media; it can only benefit you," he shared.

Maintaining High Standards

Porteous acknowledged the high standards set by his team over the last few years and expressed the collective ambition to not merely be content with past successes but to strive for consistent improvement and greater outcomes in future competitions.