Rising Rangers star Nathan Patterson has finally opened up on the summer speculations with interest from Everton. Steven Gerrard was determined to keep hold of his prized asset and the Gers knocked back a bid of around £8m from the Blue half of Merseyside.
The 19-year-old Scotsman is currently concentrating on his minutes for both club and country. His appearances have been sporadic as the understudy to skipper James Tavernier, however, a start against Hibernian last weekend implies his significance as the right fullback. He has featured four times this term across competitions and is focused on improving his game irrespective of the transfer talks.
“I have been working really hard with all the coaches that have been helping me along the way and any time I get the opportunity I need to make sure I am ready to prove myself. I feel as if I have done that but I need to keep pushing on and hopefully get more opportunities.”
Told Patterson (as quoted by the Daily Record) who prefers to ‘go on the pitch and do his thing and let the outside talk’.
Why It Is Proving Difficult To Promote Patterson As The First-choice Right-back
Although the Light Blues are blessed to have two top-notch right-backs in their ranks, the growing interest in the young Scot is proving troublesome for the Glasgow giants. Tavernier, 29, is irreplaceable for his expertise high up the pitch with overlapping runs, crosses and set-piece attributes. Also, the goals and assists he registers often prove decisive in close encounters.
Patterson might have shown more composure while tracking back, making recoveries and helping the defensive third, but the lethal finishing trait of the Englishman is yet to develop in the teenager’s game despite the promises exhibited ever since his promotion to the senior setup.
Gerrard Needs To Overcome A Key Challenge
Rangers, meanwhile, are nowhere close to their last season’s form even though they are leading the league standings over the Edinburgh pair Hearts and Hibernian. Celtic, too, are struggling to build momentum, but the squad rotation has not done any favour to Gerrard either. The gaffer is yet to figure out his best possible lineup, whereas the ample options across the pitch have made things harder for the iconic Liverpudlian. The players need more minutes to showcase their ability and it is to be seen now how quickly he attunes to the challenge by keeping everyone happy.
