Former Rangers and Scotland boss Alex McLeish has hailed the decision by Steve Clarke to name Nathan Patterson in his squad for this summer’s Euros and insists he has “no doubt” the teenager can be a “star for Scotland for years to come.”
Patterson was named alongside Ibrox team-mate Jon McLaughlin in Clarke’s 26-man pool, with inexperienced midfielders Billy Gilmour and David Turnbull also making the cut for Scotland.
McLeish, writing in The Herald, has been impressed with that he’s seen from Patterson so far since the full-back burst into Steven Gerrard’s side, comparing him with e-Gers star Alan Hutton.
While Patterson is having to largely watch from the sidelines at Ibrox due to the incredible form of captain James Tavernier, Big Eck is certain the skipper will be having a massive influence on Patterson as he looks to become the first choice at right-back for club and country.
“Patterson may have the least experience of first-team football, but in my eyes, there is no doubt that he has the talent to be a star for Scotland for years to come,” McLeish said.
“He has been very impressive. When you look at a young player coming into the team, you are watching his every move and every decision.
“I remember he made a risky tackle from behind right on the edge of the box against Celtic, and I was holding my breath. He timed it perfectly, and these are the things that young players come away with in their first games at that level. It’s just fantastic.
“I thought at first that it might take him time to get going, coming into this Rangers team as a kid, but right away he was giving it the Alan Hutton stuff and even copying his captain into the bargain.
“He might be keeping Patterson out of the side when he’s fit, but don’t underestimate as well how much of an influence that James Tavernier will be having on him.”
With only two games for Scotland between now and the Euros, there won’t be much time for Patterson to get up to speed and show why he deserves a place in the side.
Competition from Motherwell’s Stephen O’Donnell should push the teen over the coming weeks but there is no reaon why he couldn’t force his way into the side before the tournament gets underway next month.
Games against England, Croatia and Czech Republic could see Patterson come up against some quality players but the teenager has shown for Rangers that the big occassion doesn’t seem to faze him – and that is something Clarke is sure to have spotted too.
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