James Tavernier backs rarely-seen Rangers talent for ‘very good future’

Sat 19 September 2020 14:00, UK Updated Tue 22 September 2020 22:09, UK

Rangers defender James Tavernier has backed Nathan Patterson to have a “very good future” at Ibrox after breaking into the first-team setup.

Patterson has quickly become the understudy of the Gers captain since Steven Gerrard arrived at Ibrox, earning numerous cameos.

The 18-year-old replaced Tavernier at half-time on Thursday, as Rangers cruised past Lincoln Red Imps in the Europa League.

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Tavernier claimed that Patterson has all the attributes needed to succeed but to still wants to learn every day from his skipper on the training ground.

“I am delighted for Nathan,” he told the Glasgow Times.

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“He is a great lad, a great lad to have in the changing room and he is like a sponge, he soaks everything in. He gets his head down and works hard and I believe he does have a big future at Rangers and a big future in football.

Looking at Tavernier’s glowing praise for his young understudy, it appears that Patterson has everything needed to succeed at Ibrox.

The 18-year-old certainly has the ability, but what we love to see is that he still wants to learn, and that is what will take him far in the game.

Patterson is versatile too and recently played as a right-winger for Scotland under-21s against Lithuania. In that game, he still managed to win five defensive duels according to WyScout.

Not that it will be soon, but when Tavernier leaves, Gerrard will be confident that he has the perfect replacement in Patterson waiting in reserve.

In other Rangers news, Jermain Defoe offers advice to ‘unbelievable’ Light Blues teammate after legend comparisons