Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily Podcast, Alan Hutton has been full of praise for Rangers defender Nathan Patterson.
Hutton was speaking about the Scotland squad, and he says that Patterson would be a starter for him if he was Steve Clarke.
What’s been said?
Hutton really rates Patterson, and as a former Scotland right-back, Hutton knows what it takes to be a star in that position.
“10 years ago the team did pick itself, but now I think they have a balanced squad. I know they play three at the back and the left-side is phenomenal. But on the right, if you play Hendry and Patterson, they complement each other very well,” Hutton said.
“I’ve seen quite a bit of Patterson, and defensively, I think he’s actually very good. Going forward he can offer a lot, but defensively, he’s decent at such a young age. So that’s why he’d get the nod for me, it’s nothing to do with my links to Rangers and all that.”
Hard decision
Patterson is certainly a fantastic player, and at the age of just 19, he has a lot of room to improve.
However, heading into a major tournament, starting a 19-year-old is a real risk, and while Clarke will be tempted to utilise him, it’s hard to ignore the experience of Stephen O’Donnell.
It remains to be seen what Clarke will do at the Euros, but Hutton believes Patterson deserves the chance to start.
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