Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S MUCH ADO ABOUTNATHAN
Another eye-catching display from Rangers teenager Patterson gives Clarke and Gerrard a huge headache
THE folly of Nathan Patterson’s decision to attend an illegal party in February was compounded as he sat at home and watched James Tavernier limp off in Antwerp just a few days later.
But since that episode of Covid madness, the rising Rangers star’s timing on the park could hardly have been any better in producing big moments to make the first-team breakthrough.
Patterson took just 16 seconds of his second-half introduction in the return leg against Royal Antwerp to score his first senior goal for the Light Blues.
And with Tavernier remaining on the sidelines, the teenager has produced a string of sterling displays which could see him challenge the club captain for a starting slot next season.
Patterson’s latest impressive performance came as he ticked off another box with his first Old Firm start – and the first half in particular of the 2-0 Scottish Cup win belied his lack of experience in the derby fixture.
Steve Clarke couldn’t help but be impressed by Patterson’s performance and there is a groundswell of opinion that he should be included in Scotland’s Euro 2020 squad.
Former Rangers and Scotland full back Alan Hutton reckons the outcome of Patterson’s
SFA hearing could have an impact but, speaking to BBC
Sport, said:
“His time for international football is right now. If
OPTIONS Steven Gerrard and Steve Clarke there’s a standout performer, why wouldn’t you take him to the Euros?
“If you’re in form, you should be in the squad and, since coming into the Rangers team, his performances have got better and better.
“If you look at the Scotland squad, you’ve got Stephen O’donnell and Liam Palmer in that right-back or right wingback role.
“It’s one I know well, having played there on 50 occasions. If I look at the Scotland squad, the right side is one area they are a little bit light.
“O’donnell has the shirt and is doing OK with Motherwell, and Palmer is playing regularly too in a struggling Sheffield Wednesday team. But Patterson is putting pressure on them.
“However, having his fourgame Covid rule breach ban hanging over him isn’t ideal.”
If Clarke’s decision seems straightforward in Hutton’s eyes then Gerrard has more of a headache and the 36-year-old is desperate for Patterson to resist the temptation of a loan move next season and set up a fascinating fight with Tavernier for a starting spot.
The ex-spurs and Villa man said: “The battle between him and Tavernier is going to be interesting in the months to come. I had the same situation when I was coming through.
“But I want to see him make it a tussle between himself and the captain.
“It’ll be a great contest between the two.”