‘Being honest’: Int’l boss feels move hasn’t ‘worked out’ for star at Everton

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Steve Clarke feels Nathan Patterson sealed a ‘fantastic’ transfer to Everton in January, but the Scotland boss admits the move has not ‘worked out’ for him, via quotes by BBC Sport.

Rafa Benitez acquired the full-back in the winter sales as one of the Spaniard’s final acts as Toffees manager. He agreed an £11m deal with Rangers for the Premiership giants’ talent, which can rise to £16m. But Patterson has since made just one appearance for 45-minutes.

The Scotland international was signed to be Seamus Coleman’s eventual replacement after Benitez failed with two bids last year. But he failed to face Hull in the FA Cup or Norwich in the Premier League before Farhad Moshiri fired Benitez and opted to hire Frank Lampard.

Lampard’s arrival at Goodison Park has seen Patterson fall further down the pecking order at Everton. After missing out on the Blues’ matchday squad against Aston Villa in Duncan Ferguson’s interim spell, he has not featured in two further squads from six league games.

Additionally, Lampard hauled Patterson off at half-time in his Toffees debut during their FA Cup win over non-league Boreham Wood. The right-back often sought to push forward but lacked the attacking spark his side needed, with his crossing particularly letting him down.

Scotland boss Clarke feels Nathan Patterson to Everton ‘hasn’t quite worked out’

Patterson’s difficult 45-minute debut against a National League side was the last time that Lampard included the 20-year-old in an Everton squad. Even though their dire league form has continued, with no points in four and losing five of six under the England legend so far.

Nonetheless, Clarke chose to name Patterson in his latest Scotland squad for their friendly with Poland next Thursday. But the Tartan Army boss admits including the six-cap star may have been a tougher call had Fifa not postponed their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

“Patterson got a fantastic move to Everton that hasn’t quite worked out,” Clarke said. “It would have been difficult to pick Nathan for a competitive game, being honest. But going into a friendly situation, it might be a chance for us to get minutes into Nathan’s legs.”