Nathan Patterson could become the youngest player to represent Scotland later today and former Rangers Academy teammate James Maxwell believes the teenage is an “inspiration” for the other youngsters in the Ibrox ranks.
Patterson won a place in Steve Clarke’s squad with a string of impressive performances for Rangers towards the end of the season and Maxwell was delighted to see his pal grab his opportunity with both hands and help the Light Blues win the title.
With Scotland now set to kick off their Euro 2020 campaign this afternoon against the Czech Republic, Patterson could be in line for only his second cap.
Speaking to Rangers Youth Development Company, Maxwell told how he wants to follow in Patterson’s wake and force his way into the first-team reckoning at Ibrox – but for now, will be tuning in and hoping to see Patterson get the chance to mix it with the best players on the continent.
“It will be a great experience for him and he has deserved it because he has done really well and won the league with Rangers,” Maxwell said.
“It’s a tough challenge to displace someone like Tav but it’s the same for all positions as you are probably up against an international player for a place. It’s the same for me with Borna (Barisic) on the left. But you have to keep working hard and be ready to take your chance and Nathan certainly did that.
“He is an inspiration to everyone at the Academy and we all want to follow in his footsteps. The pathway is there as Nathan has shown and he has worked hard to get himself into that position. You need to be ready to take any opportunity you get and Nathan did that so well.
“I’ll be watching the Scotland games and hopefully we can get to see him play in at least one of them. I think they can get out of their group. Hopefully they can.”
What does Maxwell’s Rangers future hold?
Maxwell spent much of last season out on loan at Queen of the South and the defender, who has one year left on his contract at Ibrox, will be hoping he can earn an extension to his deal.
The full-back could find himself as part of the first-team for pre-season with Borna Barisic anc Calvin Bassey ahead of him in the pecking order.
After Barisic missed Croatia’s defeat by England in the other Group D game at Euro 2020, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard might just want to take a look at what other options are available to him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
