NO HOME COMFORT FOR RYAN

Porteous gifts goal to his old pals but Hornets provide sting in the tale

- DARREN JOHNSTONE

>>>HIBS...........2 WATFORD..........3

RYAN PORTEOUS made a winning return to Easter Road in last night's friendly - but only after his Watford team-mates bailed him out.

The Scotland defender looking to bounce back from his Euro 2024 nightmare gifted Harry McKirdy a goal as the hosts made it 2-2 in the second half.

But Amin Nabizada struck the winner just moments after Porteous was subbed.

Wearing the captain's armband, Porteous delivered the match ball prior to kick off and declared that it was good to be "home" in a brief touchline interview with the Hibs' stadium announcer.

The Hibs fans showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause for the centre-back, who moved to Vicarage Road in January 2023.

Hibs opened the scoring through Josh Campbell before Imran Louza levelled.