Andy Halliday backs Nathan Patterson to recover from ‘Rangers Five’ humiliation
Andy Halliday has leapt to the defence of shamed Rangers ace Nathan Patterson and is confident he still has an Ibrox career ahead of him.
Patterson was part of the ‘Rangers Five’ that broke covid-19 protocols by attending a house party and there has been plenty of debate regarding the futures of the humbled quintet.
Bongani Zungu is the most senior star and because he is already on loan and out-of-favour the decision over him seems a simple one to make.
The situation of Patterson is different, though, with the 19-year-old highly-rated by those in close quarters at Ibrox and with James Tavernier entering his 30’s this year, there is a spot ready to be filled in the coming seasons.
Halliday only left the Light Blues in 2020 and so is better placed than most to judge Patterson, and he is backing the Scotland U-21 international to battle back from this disappointment.
Appearing on the ‘Open Goal’ YouTube channel [23/02/21] he said the shamed stars deserve a second chance: “I think they should. I know Nathan Patterson and he’s in there because of how well he’s done in training.
“His attitude in training, whether he’s been in the squad or not or he’s been told to do two sessions a day or go and train with the youth team or travel to England to go and play with the under-18s on a Sunday – his attitude has been spot on.
“He’s made one mistake and I don’t think he should lose his career off one mistake.”
Halliday added: “I would not like to see someone I know how good his attitude is and how well he trains day-in and day-out to lose his job.”
Back him don’t sack him
Steven Gerrard now faces a big decision as to how, and when, he offers Patterson back into the Light Blues fold after his isolation period ends.
He will have been deeply disturbed by the protocol breaches but Patterson’s youthful age should see him given a second chance.
With Tavernier out for a few weeks it would have been the perfect time to introduce him as a starter and see how he adapts to the team.
Instead Leon Balogun is now the makeshift right-back and Patterson will be left licking his wounds on the side of the pitch as the Gers prepare to face Antwerp in the second-leg of their last 16 tie.
It is an opportunity missed, but not one that should curtail his Ibrox career.
Zungu needs to be shifted as soon as possible and should not play for the club again unless injuries dictate his reintroduction.
Patterson, meanwhile, should be reprimanded but not hung out to dry.
In other Rangers news, Steven Gerrard details troubling injury news ahead of Antwerp clash.