Scotland exile reveals he is on World Cup standby - 'I'm ready if called upon'

The Los Angeles FC defender missed out on Steve Clarke's 26-man squad for the tournament after playing no part in the qualification campaign having not been called up for international duty since March 2025.

Porteous has been capped 13 times by Scotland but only once since earning a red card in the act of conceding a penalty against Germany in the opening match of Euro 2024.

He is currently based in the United States while the Major League Soccer takes a break for the World Cup and has been placed on reserve should Scotland suffer any injuries ahead of the opening match against Haiti on June 14.

An outfield player can be called up as an emergency injury replacement up to 24 hours before kick-off of their team's first match of the tournament. Porteous will be waiting by the phone.

"I need to keep myself ticking over because you never know," the 27-year-old told talkSPORT. "I spoke to the manager and he tried to explain his decision and you've got to respect that.

"He's done fantastic for the country, fantastic for me personally, so all I can do is be ready if called upon."

Porteous insists he has no qualms about his lack of recent Scotland involvement after holding conversations with Clarke.

"I don't think he needs to explain himself to me," he said. "He's probably been one of the most influential people in my career.

"He's loyal to the squad that got him there and I think nobody can have any complaints about that. We've had good conversations and I think they should probably remain private.

"He's a top manager and I wish him and all the lads all the best in the tournament."

On his prospects of a late call-up, Porteous added: "I think it's 24 hours before but you don't want to wish ill on anybody. Whether or not I'll be there, it doesn't matter. I'll be supporting the lads regardless.

"Yes, I'll keep ticking over. I'll keep myself ready and then as soon as the first game happens, whether I'm there or not, I'll be supporting the lads. Whether I'll be at the game or I'll be in a bar cheering on Scotland, either way is good for me."

First MLS red card - but lessons learned from Euro 2024

Porteous was part of an LAFC defence that made history by keeping six consecutive clean sheets at the start of the current MLS season. He also helped them reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup but was sent off for the first time since that night in Munich for a last man foul in a 4-0 defeat by Mexican side Deportivo Toluca.

The 27-year-old insists, however, that he has learned from his Euro 2024 nightmare.

"I think you can say people make mistakes but I think they're all just lessons in life," Porteous said. "Lessons on the field, off the field and how you can react from it. As I've said before, it took me a while to get my head around it and then I realised that it's one of these things that can happen in football.

"It's just unfortunate that it happened to me but I think everyone's been great with me since then. The conversations I've had with people has been good but yeah, any advice to the lads that are at the World Cup, definitely don't get sent off the first game."

Porteous has been keeping a keen eye on Scottish football from across the pond and admitted that watching Hearts go so close to the Premiership title was a tough watch for a former Hibs player and boyhood supporter.

Addressing a question on whether Lawrence Shankland should start up front for Scotland against Haiti, he replied: "I don't think that's my call. All I will say is it was the most stressful year as a Hibs fan, watching Shanks all season bang them in.

"I'm kind of glad he's left Hearts now but he's in fantastic form and all the strikers that are there, they've either provided this season or they've provided for Steve Clarke before and I think that's what we've talked about before is the manager that has trust in the team, which is so vital and so important that they have that group of players that can provide for them."

Whether he ends up involved or not, Porteous has backed Scotland to make history by reaching the knockout stages of a tournament for the first time.

"I think it's always going to be tough but I think this is the best group of players that Scotland have had in my full lifetime and they've been together for so long now. The messages from the manager have been similar throughout the years and I don't think the squad's been in a better place. It's obviously going to be a tough group but I think this is a great opportunity for Scotland to get out of the group."