Rangers star Nathan Patterson given advice on how to succeed as Everton move nears completion
Steven Naismith has told incoming Everton signing Nathan Patterson how to succeed at Goodison Park once his expected move from Rangers is completed.
The Toffees are expected to announce [Daily Record] the signing of Rangers star Patterson in a deal worth up to £16m on Tuesday, with the Bears receiving a club-record fee to let their star youngster leave.
But the 20-year-old has now been given some advice from another former star who spent time at both Ibrox and Goodison, with Naismith handing out some gems of information for him.
While speaking to The Scottish Sun, Naismith declared that the fans will give him their full backing so long as he gives everything for the shirt.
“Evertonians like the Scottish mentality of just getting your head down and working hard for the team,” he said.
“You can have your worst-ever game, but those supporters will accept that so long as you walk off the park absolutely knackered.
“That’s what I would say to Nathan, ‘Go there and give your all and those fans will get right behind you’.
“There has been a conveyor belt going way back down the years to more recent guys like big Davie Weir, Goughie, Gary Naysmith, Faddy and obviously Big Dunc.
“The Evertonians still idolise him and he’ll be there for Nathan 100 per cent.
“As a Rangers fan I would grill him for information about his time at Ibrox and he was brilliant to speak to.
“He’s a gentle giant now, as he likes to tell people, so Nathan will get great advice off Big Dunc. I’m sure he’ll tell him just to give it absolutely everything he’s got.”
Hit the ground running
Despite his youthful age and lack of top-flight experience, there will be hope on Merseyside that Patterson can hit the ground running and make an instant impact.
While Rangers are losing a top talent, the deal is made palatable by the fee they’re receiving for someone with less than 20 first-team starts.
That cash will likely see the team in a stronger position come the end of the window, with them now able to turn down deals for their first-team regular stars such as Joe Aribo, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent while Giovanni van Bronckhorst is expected to be given cash from the deal to bolster his squad too.
It’s a deal that makes sense for all parties in the end and with Rangers likely to continue to push for titles and European football, Patterson was unlikely to get into the team ahead of James Tavernier any time soon.
In other Rangers news, GvB expected to get cash to spend after major transfer goes through.