‘Expectations clear’ – Rangers boss explains 18-month plan for potential Tavernier successor
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has outlined the plan for Gers youngster Nathan Patterson following the announcement of a new deal for the 19-year-old.
The Ibrox club announced on Monday that Patterson had signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2024.
Gerrard explained that he has made his expectations clear to Patterson as the Gers boss detailed a clear path that would see the youngster break into the first team.
Gerrard told the official Rangers site, “We have monitored Nathan’s progress closely over the past 18 months.
“His attitude is second to none, and I am particularly pleased with his desire to learn from his teammates especially our captain, James Tavernier.
“Ross [Wilson] and I have discussed our plan with Nathan for the incoming 18 months and have made our expectations clear. Nathan is a strong example of our player pathway for those who are training with the first-team and in our Academy.”
Patterson has made four first-team appearances this term, most recently coming off the bench in last weekend’s 5-0 win over Ross County.
He started in the club’s final Europa League group game against Lech Poznan as he helped his side secure a vital 2-0 win which confirmed top spot in Group D.
Gerrard’s comments would suggest that Patterson is being eyed as the long-term successor to James Tavernier.
This would make the new deal for the right-back very sensible as Tavernier may not have many years left at Ibrox.
The Gers captain is constantly linked with moves away and at 29-years-old it makes sense to plan for the future.
We will all be watching Patterson with great interest over the next 18 months to see how much of a chance he is given to prove that he could be part of the long term future at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, a former teammate of a reported Gers signing has hailed the Ibrox club’s transfer decision.