Gerrard must ignore Murray’s Patterson call
Former Rangers player Ian Murray has recently made a claim about Nathan Patterson and what would be best for the youngster’s development, but Steven Gerrard should ignore his comments and keep the youngster at Ibrox next season.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, the Airdrie manager said: “We’re not talking for Rangers here, but if Rangers want to improve young players so much, and their fans and everybody wants to improve Scottish football, why don’t they go give Patterson to Hibs?
“Give him to Hearts, St Mirren and don’t ask for any money. If you want to progress the player and get him games, there you go. But they won’t and I understand why.”
The 19-year-old has established himself as a first team regular at Rangers in recent weeks, with first-choice right-back James Tavernier having been sidelined with an injury problem since February.
Patterson has now made 11 appearances in Gerrard’s side this season and has popped up with goals in the wins against Royal Antwerp and Cove Rangers.
After the teenager’s impressive goal in the Europa League earlier this season, Chris Sutton was full of praise for the Rangers academy graduate, saying: “What an impact. He’s a young lad, he’s made a mistake, but he is a fine, fine talent. He’s going to have a big future.”
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Patterson has clearly worked his way back into Gerrard’s good books after breaching lockdown guidelines earlier in the season and has impressed with a series of fine performances.
Although Tavernier will likely reclaim his starting spot at right-back next season, Patterson has shown more than enough in recent weeks for Gerrard to consider him his second-choice right-back, so he needs to keep him at Ibrox this summer.
Considering the number of games Rangers are likely to have should they progress in domestic cups and in Europe next season, Tavernier is unlikely to play every single match, so there will definitely be opportunities for his young team-mate.
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There is also no guarantee that the Rangers captain will manage to stay fit for the whole season, and Gerrard will be keen to avoid a situation where the 29-year-old is sidelined for a long period but Patterson is already on loan elsewhere, so he must keep the youngster in the first team squad next season despite Murray’s recommendation.
In other news… Wilson on track for huge Rangers transfer error over wonderkid tipped to be a “top player”