‘I wasn’t ready mentally following Euros exit’ – Porteous

Ryan Porteous says he “wasn’t ready mentally” to return to football following Scotland’s exit from the Euros.

The Watford defender was sent off in Scotland’s opening defeat against hosts Germany, and was duly suspended for the other two group games – a draw against Switzerland and a loss to Hungary.

The 25-year-old was thrown straight back into pre-season with his club side, and describes it as “the toughest part of my life”.

“I went away with my Mrs for four days then came right back to it. I knew when I came right back in that I wasn’t ready,” Porteous said, talking to The Voices of the Vic podcast, external.

“I wasn’t ready mentally. Physically I wouldn’t have needed a pre-season because I didn’t really stop at all, but mentally I wasn’t ready.

“I had conversations with [Watford manager] Tom Cleverley, he dipped me in and out and left me out for a few pre-season games.”

Porteous says the situation was “horrible”, but says he wants to highlight his struggles in order to help anyone else in a similar situation.

“It was really difficult, without this sounding like a sob story and everyone feeling sorry for me, maybe it could help other people who get in this situation,” he said.

“Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you the frame of mind that I was in, it was really horrible and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.

“It’s hard but I think it’s brave to come out and say all this stuff, I’m at the stage now where I’m happy to do it because I think it can help others.

“It was the toughest part of my life, and up to the last month I’ve been completely back on track and I’m feeling back to normal, probably happier than I was before.”