Michael Beale reckons Ryan Porteous is a "good young player" - but eased speculation suggesting Rangers are plotting to sign the Hibs defender.

The Ibrox club have been linked with a possible move for Porteous, 23, in recent weeks after he knocked back a new deal at Easter Road. 

Hibs had offered the Scotland international a much-improved contract but the player rejected the new deal and is set to leave the club upon the expiry of his current terms.

It means Porteous could discuss pre-contract moves as early as next month before his summer departure.

However, Beale insisted Rangers have not discussed any transfer targets as he responded to a question on rumoured interest from Ibrox.

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, Beale explained: "He's not someone we've spoken about. To be honest, we've not spoken about any targets right now.

"The club had some targets they maybe had in mind. I've come in, I want to work with this group. Everything has been a bit of a whirlwind over the last two weeks. My focus has firmly been on this group.

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"I think Ryan is a good young player. He sort of played in a new position tonight. Fair play to him. He scored a goal and I've seen him come through, really.

"I was here when he made his debut and he's gone on to play for Scotland, but at the moment, I think he's part of their squad and I wouldn't want to speculate on that.

"I know it's come out that he's not going to sign a contract, that means he must have something on his mind.

"If that's the case, that wouldn't be Rangers as we haven't discussed it yet."

It comes after Porteous himself stated he could try his luck in a different league in the next step in his career.

He told Sky Sports: "I do like the idea of moving to a different league and testing myself there.

"I think there's a lot of boys that have left Scottish football that have went down and flourished whether that be down south or abroad.

"I'm open to ideas and now it's trying to figure out the one that's best suited for me."