PATTERSON – I’LL COME FITTER AND STRONGER

Scotland star Nathan Patterson is confident he will be fitter and stronger than ever after his recent injury lay-off.

The 20-year-old was frustrated when he suffered an ankle injury in early April that required surgery and kept him sidelined for almost two months.

However, as he prepares to return to action in Scotland’s Nations League opener at home to Armenia, the Everton player explained that he put his time out of action to good use as he set about working on weaknesses in his game and bulking up physically.

“I’ve used it to get myself a bit bigger and stronger,” said Patterson.

“I’ve been working with the sports scientists and the physios at Everton closely and making sure I’m ready when I come back on the pitch to be stronger.

“We’ve also worked to improve on things on the pitch that I’ve been a bit weaker on. I’ve worked really hard. For five or six weeks, I’ve just been battering the gym trying to progress myself, and doing things that will hopefully benefit me later in my career as well.”

Following last week’s World Cup play-off heartache against Ukraine, Scotland must rouse themselves for their Nations League matches against Armenia (home), Ireland (away) and Armenia (away).

Patterson will not be short of motivation for these end-of-season fixtures, however, as he bids to get some eagerlyawaited game time in the tank to keep himself ticking over before he returns to Everton next month for pre-season.

“It’s always important to play for your country,” he said. “For me as well it’s to try and gain some fitness for myself, going into pre-season. I picked up an injury at a rubbish time but that happens.”

Due to a lack of match sharpness, Patterson was a frustrated onlooker as Scotland lost to Ukraine last week. He expects a positive response this week.

“Not to be able to help the team on Wednesday was frustrating,” he said.

“We underperformed as a team. The first few days after the game, it was tough – but now we’ve got to grips with it.”