HIBERNIAN centre half Ryan Porteous has defended the Covid-19 safeguards the SFA put in place for the Scotland Under-21 squad during the international break.

The governing body was severely criticised this weekend after it emerged three under-21 players had tested positive for coronavirus and eight others had been forced to self isolate as a result.

Livingston goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie, Aberdeen midfielder Ross McCrorie and Celtic midfielder David Turnbull were all found to have contracted the virus.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon described the situation as “a shambles” while his Aberdeen counterpart Derek McInnes admitted he was “angry and disappointed”.

Dons players Lewis Ferguson and Connor McLennan were forced to sit out the Premiership match against Rangers at Ibrox yesterday because they were in quarantine.

However, Porteous, who was able to play for Hibs in their 2-2 draw with Celtic at Easter Road on Saturday, revealed the guidelines had been “really strict” and stressed he would have no reservations about going away with Scot Gemmill’s side in the future.

“A lot of the boys have been following the protocols and were just unlucky to get it,” he said.

“The boys who are now having to self isolate? You are wondering what the rules are because they were following the protocols and doing everything right.

“It was really strict when we were away about following the rules and the guidelines, so it’s unfortunate for them. I was just glad that I could play.

“I think everyone followed the protocols and I’d be very surprised if there was a mass outbreak in the squad. It was probably just for safety reasons that a good few were told to miss out, so I was maybe one of the lucky ones.

“It’s one of those things. It’s the new normality now. I’m just hoping to be lucky enough to get into the squad and I’m going to work as hard as I can to be there. That’ll be the last thing on my mind.”

Porteous, who played alongside Ross McCrorie in the European Championship qualifier against Greece in Athens last week, admitted he was relieved he received the all clear to play against Celtic on Saturday.

“I was tested on the Thursday and came back negative,” he said. “I got a text on Friday night from one of the boys who plays for Reading, Tom McIntyre. He asked if I knew what was going on. I said I had no idea.

“I think the gaffer (Jack Ross) and Potts (assistant manager John Potter) didn’t want to tell me anything until the morning so my preparation was right and my head was on it.

“So I got a phone call on Saturday morning saying I might miss out or I might not. They were going to find out things like where people were sitting on the plane or sitting on the bus. Because of the players that got it, I knew I was away from them and knew I’d be fine, but confirmation came probably about 11am.

“I wasn’t really fearing not playing as I had been following the protocols. So had all of the boys. I think I was just lucky I wasn’t at their table, or sitting beside them on the bus or the plane, so I was fortunate.”