Champions League exit could be blessing in disguise for Nathan Patterson
Rangers may have to sell a prized asset this summer as they got knocked out of the Champions League after the loss to Malmo.
This resulted in the club being short on £40million in revenue and a big name could be shown the door to make up for the lack of windfall.
On Wednesday, PLZ Soccer’s journalist and presenter Gabriel Antoniazzi stated that captain James Tavernier could be sold which would undoubtedly be a blessing in disguise for Nathan Patterson.
He said, “James Tavernier’s been outstanding for the Gers and would fetch double figures (north of £10million).
“There is an able deputy in the shape of Nathan Patterson who is set to be Scotland’s right-back for years to come.
“His progress should not be halted.”
This leaves Steven Gerrard and the Rangers hierarchy with a major conundrum.
Tavernier is influential both on and off the pitch, but he is suspect defensively at times, and has already turned 29 – meaning the club don’t have too much time if they are to ever let go of his services.
He will be turning 30 this October, while Patterson at 19 is already showing signs that he’s ready to step into this role and lead the Gers to glory.
There has been transfer interest in Tavernier, especially after his terrific performances last season.
Towards the end of June, 90Min reported that Manchester United were among four Premier League clubs monitoring Tavernier.
Manchester United still haven’t signed a right-back and could be open to taking Tavernier.
While his departure would leave a massive void in the squad for the short-term, it will be a good thing for Patterson to progress and with consistent performances from right-back, he may get fans onside with the club’s decision to let go of Tavernier.
Even if somebody else is sold, say for example Ryan Kent, Tavernier could then move to a more advanced role with Patterson slotting in as a right-back.
In our pre-season game against Arsenal that is exactly how Gerrard used the 19-year-old and we looked much more balanced defensively.
According to The Scotsman, Gerrard has himself admitted that he cannot afford to have one of them on the bench for every game and could look to accommodate the two in the same eleven.
While going out of the Champions League isn’t a welcome sight, it could be one for Patterson who could take his game to the next level this season and possibly stake his claim as a regular for the national side as well.
In other Rangers news, ‘One guy was in tears’ – Darren Gough stunned by what he heard people saying about Gerrard