Former Rangers player now BBC pundit Alan Hutton has urged the Ibrox club to secure a transfer deal for Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous. 

The Lowdown: Porteous' season so far

This season has seen the budding defender play in every single one of Hibernian's games across the SPFL and the Scottish League Cup, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the process.

Back in November, it was revealed that the defender, who is set to see his current contract expire at the end of the season, rejected the chance to sign a new and improved deal at the club.

With a recent report claiming that Rangers manager Michael Beale is a big admirer of Porteous, Hutton has urged Ross Wilson and the Ibrox hierarchy to get a deal done in the winter window.

The Latest: Hutton urges Rangers to sign Porteous

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton had this to say when asked if he thinks Porteous would be a good addition to Beale's squad.

"I think he would be. He reminds me of Scott Brown when I played against him. To play against he was a nightmare but to have in your team was brilliant. Porteous seems the same kind of type.

"I was at Ibrox to watch the game against Hibs and I thought he was outstanding. It is probably an area where Rangers have struggled this season.

"So to bring someone in who knows the league, knows what it is all about. He is obviously a fighter so he would be a good addition to the side."

The Verdict: A solid signing for Rangers

In addition to having the second-highest number of interceptions (20) and third-highest number of successful tackles (18) at Hibernian this season, the 23-year-old also has the second-highest number of shots at goal at the club (32).

This shows that not only is a tough opponent to come up against at the back, he's also a danger in front of his opponent's goal as well.

His overall league performances have earned Porteous a strong season rating of 7.02/10 from WhoScored, making him the second-highest rated player at Hibernian, which backs up why Hutton has been so impressed with the centre-back.

Taking all of this into account, if Hibernian can be persuaded into cashing in on the Scotsman in January rather than see him leave as a free agent in the summer, Rangers should definitely be at the front of the queue to secure his signature.