‘Seen enough’ – Derek Ferguson questions Rangers 19y/o & backs January action
Derek Ferguson has questioned Rangers right-back Nathan Patterson and his ability to replace James Tavernier if he picks up an injury.
The Bears skipper is currently the top-scorer in Scotland and has started the season in the form of his life under Steven Gerrard.
When questioned about plans in January, Ferguson believes that Gerrard could look to bring in a stronger rotation option in that area of the park.
Speaking on the Blues Brothers Podcast, Ferguson claimed that it could be too big of an ask for Patterson to replace Tavernier in the worst-case scenario.
“For me, and this is no slight on the boy, Tav has been excellent, but this young boy Patterson,” he said.
“If Tav was to pick up an injury, I mean obviously the boy’s a good player, I’ve seen enough of him, but I sometimes think that is somewhere we could look at.
“I don’t know if we’ll get someone with the same quality, because he’s on a mission at the minute. I’m just wondering in that right-back area, whether it is too much of an ask for Patterson.”
Realistically, should Tavernier stay fully fit, Patterson has zero chance of completing significant minutes for the Bears this season.
Anyone would find it tough to replace this skipper based on his form, but the 19-year-old would find it even harder given his lack of experience.
Patterson’s last significant cameo for the senior side was against Lincoln Red Imps in the Europa League qualifier where he completed 56 minutes.
He won 88% of his complete duels according to WyScout and was effecting moving forward, not quite on Tavernier’s level.
The saying goes, ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ and although Patterson hasn’t the same level of experience as someone such as Calvin Bassey, he certainly doesn’t deserve to be replaced or pushed further back.
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