Paterson is happy to learn lesson
IT’S very rare for a player to see anything positive from being dropped.
But Hearts’ defender Callum Paterson believes being left on the bench for Scotland’s clash with England will benefit him in the long run.
The 22-year-old appeared to have the grip of the right-back position after playing back-to-back games against Lithuania and Slovakia.
On Friday night he had to watch left winger Ikechi Anya occupy that role.
He only took over as a late substitute when the Derby County man picked up a knock.
Paterson is determined to learn from the Wembley experience.
He said: “Yes, it was a blow not to start against England.
“But I am young, it’s something I need to learn from. I think I did that. I got on and I tried to help the team as best I could.
“Experiences like this can only help me.
“I’m not used to not playing, so that’s something I had to learn from and cope with.
“I will be better for that in the future.
“When I got on there was only 10 minutes to go and I think Danny Rose had taken his foot off the gas by then.
“But it was good to get on against a massive team and I am thankful for it.”
Paterson is a very ambitious young man.
He has been linked with moves to English football and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if that happens in the January transfer window.
One thing’s for sure, he’ll be doing all he can to start in the number two shirt when England come to Hampden Park next June.
He went on: “You want to play in every game but especially the big ones like that.
“It’s a massive stage for me to be performing on, especially when I am still playing up in Scotland.
“We have to stay optimistic about the chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
“You have to take your chances and we just didn’t do that.
“It leaves us four points off second. There is still all to play for.”