Like father, like PATTERSON
Nathan matched old man’s stature after a growth spurt
Nathan Patterson’s stature as a Rangers s player is getting bigger r by the week.
And Peter MacDonald was as always convinced that a teenage age growth- spurt would ensure he made the grade at Ibrox.
Now, such has been the youngster’s rapid progress, he says Gers skipper James Tavernierr isn’t guaranteed a starting slot in Steven teven Gerrard’s title-winning side.
The former St Johnstonee and Dundee striker – who came through hrough the ranks at Rangers 20 yearss ago – coached Patterson for a spell when he worked with the club’s Under--15 side.
Even at that age, the full-l- back’s ability was never in question.
But MacDonald prayed that Patterson would turn into a physical specimen, pecimen, like dad Kenny, to aid his development. lopment.
That happened quickly and last week Gerrard gave him the nod ahead of Tavernier for Rangers’ top-of-the-table clash with Hibs at Ibrox.
Patterson grabbed his chance by producing a brilliant assist for Kemar Roofe to score in a vital 2-1 win.
MacDonald isn’t surprised that the 19-year-old is now putting up a genuine fight to the club captain for his shirt.
But only after he transformed from being a skinny kid with bags of potential into a marauding Scotland right-back.
He told MailSport: “Nathan was small and skinny with the Under-15s. But he was still quick and athletic.
“His dad is big and tall though. He has real presence about him as a man so we always knew that Nathan would eventually take a stretch.
“And he shot up a full foot in height rapidly. You can see a huge change in him over the last year or so.
“He always had the ability. The only question was over his physicality for a right-back.
“Because even at 15 his attitude was always spot on. He was a kid who always worked really hard on his game.
“I felt if he had that growth, he would potentially have a real chance of making the grade at Rangers.
“I always remember looking at his dad and thinking: ‘ Nathan will end up having that type of stature too.’
“And he’s now identical to his dad, with that broad back and shoulders.
“He’s probably still got a bit of filling out to do at just 19 years old. But he’ll definitely get there.”
Patterson is well on his way, with gaffer Gerrard a huge fan and national team boss Steve Clarke making him a
Scotland regular. MacDonald knows he needs games and so far he has only started four for Rangers this term in all competitions.
But Peaso insists there’s no chance of Gerrard farming him out on loan because Patterson is pushing Tavernier all the way for his jersey.
He said: “Nathan is a really exciting prospect and if he gets more games it will benefit him and the club.
“It will also add real value to Nathan’s worth. He has to play between 15 and 20 games this season, whether it’s at Rangers or elsewhere.
“But I don’t see Rangers letting him go on loan. They have a huge responsibility with Nathan because he’s one of their biggest assets.
“He’s got the captain of Rangers and the best full-back in the league ahead of him at Ibrox.
“Tavernier has been outstanding for the last two years there. But I wouldn’t say it’s a no-brainer that Tav is always first choice with Nathan as his back-up.
“When any player gets a chance to impress, they have to take it. And Nathan did that against Hibs last weekend. I’m not sure what the reasons were for Tav being left out, whether the manager felt he’d dipped slightly or not.
“But Nathan did well with another great delivery for the first goal.
“Wi l l Tav be rel i shing the competition? Probably not. Every player is wary of young guys coming through trying to take their place.
“He’ll be mindful that Nathan is there and he’s training with him every day.
“So he’ll know that if he doesn’t perform there’s a ready- made replacement now to go in.”
MacDonald was still at Ibrox when a young Alan Hutton was coming up through the ranks before becoming a £9million player.
He was sold to Premier League outfit Spurs in 2008 and there has already been interest in Patterson from England’s top-flight.
Everton had a bid rejected for the teenager in the summer and Liverpool are also reported to be keeping tabs on him. Peaso – who is now working as an agent for some of the country’s top young players
– says it’s unfair compare Patterson to Hut ton just yet. But he’s convinced that one day the right- back will make the club a packet.
He said: “It’s still e a r l y day s to compare Nathan to Alan. Hutton was outs tanding for Rangers before he left. “He went on to have a great career at clubs like Aston Villa and won a lot of caps for Scotland. “There are similarities. Nathan is quick but Hutton was absolutely blistering at his best. That’s probably the only difference I can think of.
“But just like Alan, Nathan will make Rangers a lot of money at some stage if he continues to perform well at Ibrox.”