Craigan raves about Patterson as Rangers draw with Slavia Prague
Stephen Craigan was waxing lyrical about right-back Nathan Patterson in the latter stages of Rangers’ 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague on Thursday night.
Steven Gerrard’s men ensured they grabbed a vital away goal while keeping the scores level in Prague ahead of the second leg of the last-16 Europa League tie at Ibrox next week.
Patterson, 19, was absolutely vital in earning the draw as late on in the match, he made a crucial block to stop Oscar Dorley getting a shot off at goal that could have won the game for Slavia.
Ex-Motherwell and Nothern Ireland player Craigan was full of praise for Patterson.
“That’s top-class defending from young Nathan Patterson,” said Craigan on BT Sport 3 in the 83rd minute of the match on Thursday night.
“Not as much the block, it’s the anticipation, the reading of the game to get out to Dorley.
“[Alexander] Bah, down that right-side yet again, just a little one-two gets in behind the Rangers backline, lifts his head and Dorley’s on the edge of the box.
“Nathan Patterson, absolutely terrific anticipation. Top-class defending.”
Craigan added a few minutes later: “Nathan Patterson’s performance in the game has been quite similar to Rangers, he’s got better as the game’s gone on.
“We touched on it earlier, this is probably the biggest game of his career. Last-16 Europa League tie, the manager shows the confidence to put him in.
“I hope I’m not tempting fate but up until now, he really has delivered on what the manager will have been hoping for.”
Huge performance with ban incoming
Earlier this week, Patterson and four other Rangers players were charged by the SFA for breaching COVID-19 rules.
When news broke of Patterson’s off-field antics, many fans were furious with him and the other four for putting the team at risk in their bid to win their 55th title.
A lot of fans were calling for the five players to be moved on by the club but Patterson has turned himself from zero to hero with his right-back displays for Rangers in the Europa League.
His goal against Antwerp in the round of 32 was stunning while in the first leg against Slavia on Thursday night, his defensive work at the death played a major role in earning a 1-1 draw.
Rangers have a big chance of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals and Patterson has been vital to that.
Football fans are fickle because not so long ago, people didn’t want to see Patterson playing for the Light Blues again.
But since then, he’s more than apologised with his performances.
James Tavernier will return to the starting line-up once he’s fit again but Patterson has seized this rare opportunity with both hands. He has a big future in this sport.
In other Rangers news, this BBC Sportsound pundit has shared a major claim about Allan McGregor’s contract situation.