EPL CLUBS CAN’T GET SOMETHING FOR NATHAN
Ball’s stunned how Everton’s bid for Patterson continues trend of insulting cut-price offers from down south
MICHAEL BALL isn’t surprised that Everton are interested in Nathan Patterson – but he is shocked to see English clubs still trying to get away with their lowball tactics for tartan talent.
The former Toffees and Rangers fullback is a big fan of rising Ibrox star Patterson, who was this week the subject of a failed £5million bid from Goodison Park. Gers boss and former Liverpool captain Gerrard took a swipe at his old Merseyside rivals when he branded Everton’s opening offer a “joke”. And ex-England defender Ball reckons the Rangers manager is absolutely right to take issue with clubs down south continually underestimating the worth of Scottish players. While Everton are trying to prise away from Ibrox a player Gerrard believes has the potential to become one of Scotland’s all-time greats for a measly £5m, they have at the same time slapped a similar price-tag on Jonjoe Kenny as they try to shift the former Celtic flop from their books. It’s not the first time English clubs with their Sky TV millions have tried to leave their counterparts north of the border short changed. Aston Villa forked out just £2m to land John McGinn from Hibs, with then Villains boss Steve Bruce later describing the deal as his best-ever signing. Back in May, Aberdeen hit out at Watford’s “insulting” £2m offer for Lewis Ferguson while only last month Easter Road sporting director Graeme Mathie revealed Hibs had knocked back a string of “really disrespectful” bids for teenage left-back Josh Doig. It makes no sense to Ball and he thinks Gers are right to dig their heels in and demand top dollar. “These English Premier League clubs do undervalue players playing up in Scotland,” the former Gers hero told
Record Sport.
“They always seem to take a lot longer to press the button when it comes to signing Scottish players than when they move for players from other countries. I’ve always thought that was very strange.
“Maybe it has to do with the fact Scottish clubs make so little from the TV companies, the Premier League clubs feel they can pray on that.
“But there’s been plenty of Scottish players down the years who have come down south, applied themselves correctly and shown they have the ability to compete so it’s about time they started paying the going rate.
“Nathan has shown the quality with his performances since breaking through at Ibrox. He has made his Scotland debut too.
“It will be big loss for Rangers if Everton come back in for him with a more suitable offer. But if they can attract top dosh for him and reinvest it, it could be best for both parties.”
Everton have been scared off
for now and Gerrard will hope that they don’t come back.
The Ibrox boss knows every member of his squad has a price on his head, especially after the failure to secure a £40m Champions League bounty only increased the pressure on the Rangers board to follow through with their vow to cash in on their playing talent.
But Gerrard believes he has a naturalborn heir to skipper James Tavernier on his hands and is determined to keep him on board.
Ball said: “I heard about Nathan long before he made his debut and know Rangers rate him highly.
“He has the potential to be the longterm replacement for James Tavernier and that is the reason why they will only accept a large offer for him.”
But Ball reckons Patterson also has all the qualities needed to take over from Seamus Coleman in Rafa Benitez’s line-up.
The Irishman has been an Everton regular for more than a decade, having chalked up 350 games for the Blues on top of his 59 caps for the Republic.
But at 32, the Goodison captain is finding it tougher to cope with the relentless pace of the Premier League and Ball said: “Everton have been looking to add right-back options.
“Would Nathan get the game time he needs to continue his development with Coleman being the captain and number one choice? I’m not sure.
“But with Seamus’ age and the work load required of him during this season, Everton do need competition in that area. Nathan wouldn’t be put off trying to claim Seamus’ jersey.”