BLUE INTO ONE DOES GO
McAllister insists skipper Tavernier and Patterson can play in same Gers team
GARY McALLISTER reckons Rangers can make room for the world-class numbers of James Tavernier and exciting talent Nathan Patterson in the same line-up.
The Ibrox assistant boss is thrilled at the teenager’s progress. Patterson’s development has seen him slot easily into the right-back role when Tavernier has been on the injured list.
The skipper has been an integral part of the title success this term and would likely remain first pick if available but the Rangers No.2 insists it may not simply be a case of choosing one or the other.
McAllister and boss Steven Gerrard are investigating future scenarios where they can both get into the side.
Tavernier returned to the bench for last weekend’s clash with Celtic, while Paterson is now being tipped for Scotland honours.
McAllister said: “What a wonderful position for the manager and everyone here at the club to have two outstanding players in the same position.
“Could that evolve and could there be a little bit of change there? Time will tell.
“The beauty is we’ve got an outstanding youngster and a player whose numbers are probably among the best in the world from that area of the pitch.
“As a club we’re uber delighted to have two outstanding players in that area.
“There are different formations that you never know, we might be able to get the two of them on the pitch at the same time.”
Tavernier could feature for the first time in two months tonight against St Johnstone with Gerrard set to dish out opportunities at McDiarmid Park to some of those who didn’t start against Celtic.
There’s a month and a day left to go in the campaign but McAllister does not want to see any drop off with the Double a huge target and a proud unbeaten Premiership record also going back on the line.
Victory over their Glasgow rivals set up a home Scottish Cup quarter-final against the Perth Saints on Sunday as the Light Blues aim to add a second major honour to their haul this term.
First the pair meet at McDiarmid Park which has less significance in terms of trophies with the title silverware already on their sideboard.
Saints will provide a couple of stiff tests but McAllister said: “It’s the same train of thought, one at a time. After an Old Firm weekend and a big positive result we bounce into this week. But when you look at the week ahead you think it’s just another big one.
“It’s the way we like it. We’ll probably freshen up for the league game but over the two games we’ll be strong as we want to continue our form in the league and we want to progress in the Cup.
“We know St Johnstone, they know us as we’ve played them three times already. The facts are we’re going in against a team that is highly organised and who have had a wonderful season. They will be full of confidence but we’ll be looking to go there and attack and win the game so we can keep this run going. The message from us is we’ll be strong as we want to continue our run.”
Scott Wright is among those who may get a run out and he echoed McAllister’s calls that Rangers will keep their foot flat to the floor.
The winger is adamant there will be no slacking with that unbeaten record in the league to maintain and needing to keep up the revs heading into the lastgame eight crunch against the Betfred Cup winners.
Wright said: “It’s always important to keep pushing ourselves. The mantra here is always to keep moving forward and not to stand still.
“With such a big squad there is always competition for places. If you come off it a bit there is always someone waiting to take your spot.
“There’s no bigger game than the one just past there and the boys were fantastic. The most important thing was the result and we managed to get that.
Every game is massive at a club like this so we go into this one with the same mindset. We want to win.
“St Johnstone are on a good run at the minute and have enjoyed cup success earlier in the season.”
Wright would relish an opportunity against Saints. The 23-year-old has made eight appearances since his January switch from Aberdeen and having sparkled in his last outing against Cove Rangers in the last 32 of the Cup just over a fortnight ago, believes things are going well.
He said: “I’ve probably played a bit more than I expected to do. I’m delighted with how it’s gone so far and it’s about chasing down the next target.
As a club we’re uber delighted to have two outstanding players in that area GARY McALLISTER KNOWS RANGERS ARE BLESSED WITH REAL RIGHT-BACK TALENT
“I’ve said before that I want to make an impact on the team whether that’s coming off the bench or starting. All I can do is give the manager something to think about.
“We have a good squad and at a club like this there are so many games, whether it’s the Europa League, the Scottish Cup or the league. We will have to utilise the squad and it’s on the players who come in to grab your chance.”