Jordan Campbell fawns over Nathan Patterson’s physical transformation after Rangers v Slavia
It was a coming-of-age performance for Nathan Patterson against Slavia Prague as the Rangers defender showed a new side to his game on Thursday night.
The 19-year-old has had his fair share of difficulties in recent times, mainly brought upon by himself as a result of his involvement in the ‘Rangers Five’, but he is grasping the opportunity presented to him with both hands and he doesn’t look like letting go.
Patterson would have been watching on in envy during the Light Blues’ first-leg round of 32 tie with Royal Antwerp in the Europa League when James Tavernier was forced off with an injury and central defender Leon Balogun deputized at right-back.
The notion was that Balogun would at least bring some solidity and physique to the position which Patterson wouldn’t, but he showed against Slavia Prague on Thursday that he has the physical abilities to step up to the task, something The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell noticed on his personal Twitter profile.
He said: “It was clear after watching the development squad early last season that Patterson had the attributes needed to go far.
“He’s filled out since and, after a difficult game v Atletico last season, he looks like the work being done with him is paying dividends defensively.”
Patterson makes point
Patterson was certainly in the thick of the action on Thursday evening as he passed his tough test with flying colours.
Up against the prodigious talents of Abdallah Sima that helped put Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City to the sword in the previous round, it looked like he could be in for a difficult night.
But by and large, he kept the Slavia star quiet and restricted him to few opportunities or goal-scoring actions.
His demonic defensive display can be showcased by a number of statistics from Wyscout, such as a game-high eight clearances.
Furthermore, only Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent were involved in more Gers duels than Patterson’s 20 which highlights just how much the young defender was involved in the action.
On his biggest night so far he refused to shrink under the pressure and instead gave Steven Gerrard an almighty prod that he is here for a long Ibrox stay.
In other Rangers news, Slavia Prague boss comments on condition of Ibrox pitch.