The 27-year-old Los Angeles FC centre-back became a regular starter under the former national team boss throughout the qualifying campaign for the last European Championship.

But since being sent off in the opening match – a 5-1 defeat against hosts Germany in June 2024 – Porteous’ only appearance for Scotland was as a late substitute in a Nations League win in Greece in March 2025.

Having earned a long-awaited recall to the squad from new boss Sebastien Pocognoli last weekend following an injury to Stephen Welsh, the former Hibernian and Watford defender was philosophical about being marginalised for most of the past two-and-a-half years.

“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,” said Porteous.

“I remember Roy Keane said that about an England player on a podcast I saw on social media and I felt a connection with that. I looked at myself and focused on what I could control, my performances and my consistency, and I feel I’m in a good place.”

Porteous won 13 caps under Clarke but dismissed any notion that he needed a change of manager in order to earn a recall.

“No, I had very good conversations with the old manager,” he stressed. “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.

“After he left his position (in June), again, we had a good conversation too. He was eager for me to get back in the squad as well, so that was always good to hear.”

Porteous made his Scotland debut in a Nations League match against Ukraine in September 2022 and swiftly become a first choice in Clarke’s defence throughout the memorable surge towards the last Euros.

“That was a real highlight of my career,” he said. “We were in a really good place, we were winning big games on a consistent basis.

“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 joined LA in early 2025 and joked that he is probably the first person from his hometown Dalkeith, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, to make such a move.

“It’s some place,” he said. “It’s good, I stay in Pasadena, so a little bit outside the temptation zone, as I call it!”

Porteous helped his side enjoy a 3-0 win over Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in February and feels his game is in good order.

“I’ve probably just had one of my most consistent seasons over the last three or four years and I’m really enjoying it,” he said.

“I don’t know if I enjoyed being up against Messi. That was one where you could never settle, but it was a good night for us.”