Rangers need to start playing Nathan Patterson more or they risk losing him in transfer window
Rangers must start placing more trust in youngster Nathan Patterson or they run the risk of seeing him move away.
As the January transfer window approaches, speculation is increasing about the future of the 20-year-old, who has been tipped for a move to the Premier League by Barry Ferguson, who described Patterson as “exceptional”.
Everton had multiple bids rejected for him in the summer transfer window [Scottish Daily Mail], while transfer expert Dean Jones has claimed that former boss Steven Gerrard wants to take the right-back to Aston Villa.
Of course, there is a certain irony in this, as Gerrard was hesitant to use Patterson during his time as manager in Glasgow.
The youngster was a regular on the bench under the Englishman but started just three league games in his tenure.
He is in the difficult position of club captain James Tavernier being ahead of him in the pecking order and the 30-year-old is rarely dropped.
However as Patterson’s reputation continues to increase, he is going to become less content with sitting on the bench at Ibrox.
The right-back will also feel he is deserving of more opportunities as he has now established himself in the national team squad.
Since Euro 2020, the right-back has started three of the four games he has been available for in Scotland colours and notched a goal and an assist against Moldova last month (12 November).
This all leaves Giovanni van Bronckhorst with a decision to make.
The Dutchman has shown a possible solution by bringing Patterson on as a right-winger against Sparta Prague and Livingston. However, it is hard to see the youngster winning a regular starting spot ahead of Ianis Hagi.
As the one shining light to have come out of the academy in recent seasons, it would be brilliant to see Patterson feature more often. It would be devastating to see him go and excel elsewhere.
In other Rangers news, Brian Laudrup has told Rangers the one player they must not sell in January.