Paterson makes Cardiff City comeback
SCOTLAND manager Steve Clarke has been handed a major boost after Callum Paterson successfully made his comeback following five months out.
The former Hearts defender had been sidelined since injuring his ankle on international duty in the 2-0 2020 European Championship qualifying victory over San Marino in March.
He subsequently underwent surgery and was ruled out of the remainder of Cardiff City’s ill-fated bid to stay in the Premier League.
However, the 24-year-old returned to action for the Bluebirds in their 2-1 win against Luton Town on Saturday and will now be available for Scotland’s crucial double-header at home to Russia and Belgium next month. He said: “Good to be back after five months out. Great result for the boys!”
Paterson’s versatility has seen him play all over the pitch for Hearts, Cardiff and Scotland, and club boss Neil Warnock is thrilled to have him back fit.
He said: “Callum Paterson hasn’t played in pre-season, really, so all credit to him for getting through the 90 minutes.” LEICESTER defender Jonny Evans has backed Harry Maguire to be a Manchester United hit and believes he can have a similar impact to Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool.
England internationalist Maguire joined United from Leicester for £80 million last week, a world record fee for a defender.
Former Celtic defender Van Dijk helped Liverpool win the Champions League and finish second in the Premier League last season after his £75m move from Southampton, who he joined from the Parkhead club in January 2018.
United kept their first clean sheet since February in Maguire’s debut on Sunday, a 4-0 win over Chelsea, and Evans – who won three titles at Old Trafford – tipped him for success.
“You can see comparisons in their games [Maguire and Van Dijk], both are great on the ball, and Harry has got explosive pace people don’t see,” the Northern Ireland internationalist said. “He is powerful, good in the air – everyone will compare the transfer fees but it’s so difficult to judge transfer fees nowadays.
“We are all human and it is weird we get traded for money. In the transfer market it’s all supply and demand and things can go up and down at any moment.
“The most important thing is for him to be judged on how he plays. I don’t have any worries about him there. He is tailor-made for Man United, it was a great move for him. He’s a player they needed.
“He’s got a really likeable nature about him. He will be a real hit there, he is a fantastic player.”
Evans also insisted VAR will be a success after it disallowed Leander Dendoncker’s second-half strike in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Wolves.
The midfielder’s initial header hit team-mate Willy Boly on the arm before he fired in. It took 98 seconds to disallow the goal but Evans believes VAR will work.
“They came up with the right decision, we’ve been told VAR won’t step in unless it’s a clear decision the referee has missed so for them to overrule the referee it must be the right call,” he said.
“A few of the Wolves players were still trying to debate the decision afterwards and you’re saying, ‘We’ve got VAR, that’s what it’s for’.
The most important thing is for him to be judged on how he plays. I don’t have any worries about him. He is tailormade for Man United