Ryan Porteous 'very down' after Scotland red as Steve Clarke reveals soft touch with defender

Ryan Porteous was "very down" after he was sent off against Germany on Friday - as Steve Clarke explained how he had to take a soft approach with the Scotland defender.

The Watford centre-half was shown a straight red card following a VAR intervention after his reckless and high challenge on Barcelona midfield superstar Ilkay Gundogan. Head coach Clarke was disappointed to lose his player and acknowledged the challenge was poor.

He did, however, exonerate the former Hibs man as he told how it was an "honest" effort to win the ball. Clarke also explained how Porteous was "one of his cuddles" after revealing in his post-match press duties that he'd taken a harder stance with some players while others needed an arm around them.

He said: “He’s not been sent off in a couple of years. He has been great for us since I gave him his chance against Ukraine. The challenge in Cyprus you mention (which prevented a goal), was clean, he didn’t catch an opponent.

"The other night, he was trying to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity and he definitely went in too hard and we are pleased that Gundogan appears to have no lasting damage. It is something that Ryan will learn, but is an honest challenge to try to get the ball.

“To try to stop a goal-scoring opportunity so I wouldn’t be too hard on him. He was one of my cuddles. I explained the situation. It doesn’t look good. Ryan didn’t want to make that challenge, he wanted to stop a goal.

“He is very down as you would expect, but we will pick him up, don’t worry about that.”