Rangers sold defender Nathan Patterson to Everton in January but the move to Goodison Park hasn’t quite worked for the right back just yet.
The Gers had high hopes for Patterson and saw him becoming a star at Ibrox but decided to cash in during the January window.
After all, Patterson happened to play the same position as James Tavernier, an almost undroppable player at Rangers.
Rangers struck a deal worth £16million for Patterson, allowing him to make the move to Merseyside whilst bringing in much-needed funds.
Having long wanted a long-term replacement for Seamus Coleman at right back, it looked like Everton had found their man in Patterson.
Yet just weeks into Patterson’s time at Everton, the Toffees sacked Rafael Benitez – the man who signed Patterson – and replaced him with Frank Lampard.
That has thrown a spanner in the works for Patterson, who has yet to even play a single minute of Premier League action for Everton.
Patterson, 20, did play against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup earlier this month but was substituted at half time.
Even with Coleman struggling, Patterson still isn’t getting a chance under Lampard, with the Everton boss seemingly reluctant to throw the youngster in during a relegation battle.
Patterson is though in the Scotland squad and will get crucial minutes on the pitch against Poland and either Austria or Wales this month.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has commented on the situation, telling the Glasgow Evening Times that he hopes Patterson shines on international duty so Lampard picks him for Everton.
Clarke has admitted speaking to Lampard about the situation, but feels the Everton boss is in a ‘difficult’ situation because his captain Coleman is a right back, leaving it tough for Patterson to get in.
“He’s had almost nothing in terms of game time,” said Clarke. “It would have been difficult to think about playing Nathan in a really competitive match like a play-off semi-final I feel this is an opportunity to get some minutes into his legs which will be good for us and good for Nathan. Hopefully, he performs so well that he makes Frank pick him for Everton.”
“I know Frank well and I’ve had a little conversation with him about Nathan but obviously Frank is in a situation where he is scrapping for points to stay in the Premier League. It’s difficult when your captain is also a right back in Seamus Coleman,” he added.
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