Exclusive: Alex McLeish raves over Nathan Patterson after Rangers breakthrough
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has been raving over the performances of Rangers defender Nathan Patterson since his Ibrox breakthrough in recent weeks.
The young full-back has never been able to string together a long run of performances, but an injury to James Tavernier has certainly opened the door.
McLeish believes that Patterson has done “nothing wrong” during his stint in the first-team, even when facing huge games such as Slavia Praha and Celtic in the past week.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “He has done nothing wrong.
“He had that brilliant salvaging tackle (against Slavia) and that was probably the high quality of the kid on the night. To go in and go to ground like that, you’re risking the referee calling a foul.
“Those kinds of moments will raise his confidence, and Patterson has been a real find, and a real acquisition for Rangers covering James Tavernier.”
Patterson has been superb in this past couple of months.
Starting with the breach of COVID-19 protocols, many believed he could have thrown his chances away at Auchenhowie, but the injury to Tavernier opened the door.
Steven Gerrard believes the talent has become a man in recent weeks, and it is fair to say that he has definitely proved himself at Ibrox.
The 19-year-old was forced onto the bench against Celtic through an injury problem but was thrown into the game at a critical point with Leon Balogun struggling.
Patterson will come on leaps and bounds from this experience, and he is the perfect replacement for when Tavernier finally moves on, hopefully, that isn’t too soon.
In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart blown away by Ryan Kent moment in 1-1 v Celtic