Rangers icon Barry Ferguson insists Scotland boss Steve Clarke should give Ibrox teen Nathan Patterson his chance to impress this summer at Euro 2020, calling the talented defender “tailor-made” for the national team.
Patterson could win his first cap when the Dark Blues take on Luxembourg in their final pre-tournament friendly this weekend and Ferguson is adamant Clarke “can’t afford to ignore” the likes of Patterson, Billy Gilmour and David Turnbull when it comes to picking his side.
Ferguson admits selecting the trio in the squad “raised eyebrows” but thinks Patterson “looks like a young Andy Robertson in the making.”
“There were some raised eyebrows when Patterson, David Turnbull and Billy Gilmour were included in his 26 man squad but I said right away that these boys wouldn’t just be making up the numbers,” Ferguson told the Daily Record.
“The manager has brought them in because he knows he can’t afford to ignore them. He truly believes they are ready to make an impact and he proved it by giving Turnbull and Gilmour their chance on Wednesday.
“Hopefully, so long as there are no more coronavirus issues, Patterson will be next in line on Sunday and I can’t wait to see him in a dark blue shirt because I think he’s tailor-made for it.”
“Absolutely no fear”
“What I love about this boy is that he plays with absolutely no fear. He motors up and down that flank with a real sense of freedom and nothing seems to faze him.
“I realise he’s only played a handful of games for Rangers but, based on everything I’ve seen, he looks like a young Andy Robertson in the making.
“Look, he’ll be going some to achieve what Robertson has done in the game.
“But he’s passed every test he’s faced with flying colours and I firmly believe he’s ready for the next big challenge right now.”
Patterson missed out on making his debut in the midweek draw with the Netherlands but will be hoping to get his first taste of action on Sunday.
With Scotland’s opening Euro 2020 games 10 days away, the Rangers defender could be weeks away from really making a name for himself.
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