Rangers manager Steven Gerrard looks like having his hand forced into making a decision over James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson soon after the Ibrox teen again shone on international duty for the Light Blues.
Patterson played a massive part in Scotland’s only goal during the 1-0 win over Moldova, driving from deep before his rebounded shot was rolled home by Lyndon Dykes after 13 minutes.
While Patterson returned to Ibrox ahead of Scotland’s final game with Austria after picking up an injury, the right-back is at the point in his career where he simply needs to play regularly.
The problem is that skipper James Tavernier has been in incredible form over the last few seasons, helping Rangers set records defensively and in attack as he posted the sort of numbers that would make many strikers jealous.
Gerrard spoke over the summer about trying to find a way to fit both into his side but it is hard to see quite where either could possibly fit into the starting XI given the depth elsewhere.
That means it comes down to an either/or decision for Gerrard and there simply isn’t a huge amount of time for him to dither and delay over which one is going to be his first-choice and which one is left kicking their heels on the bench.
Patterson was never likely to head out on loan over the summer but it is clear that another season where his minutes are limited will do nothing to help him fulfil his undoubted potential.
While there’s nobody who will argue Rangers should just bin Tavernier, the gap between the two is getting narrower and narrower.
If Patterson is to go on and become the player that he’s shown he can, Gerrard is going to have to make a decision which he might not want to.
However, if Patterson is going to hit the levels hoped of him, Gerrard may have no option but to make it soon.
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