Rangers legend Mark Hateley thinks Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard will “find a way” to get the most game time for both James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson this season after Patterson’s emergence as a genuine first-team player.
The teen became the youngest player to ever represent Scotland at a major tournament when he came off the bench at Euro 2020 and Hateley thinks he is the best Scottish right-back in the SPFL.
With Tavernier putting up the sort of numbers most players would kill for last season, that leaves Gerrard with a tough task to make sure both players can be involved as Rangers defend their Scottish Premiership title.
“[Patterson is] the best Scottish right-back in Scottish football,” said Hateley, speaking to BBC Scotland.
“And he will push Tavernier all season long. Rangers will find a way (to play both).”
Massive future ahead for the Rangers Academy graduate
After an impressive run of performances when Tavernier was injured last season, Patterson has shown he is more than capable of holding down a regular start for the Light Blues.
At this stage in his development, Patterson really needs regular games moving forward so it will be interesting to see what Rangers do to make sure his development doesn’t stall.
There’s a massive future ahead for Patterson but Rangers need to make sure they do everything they can to get him the minutes he needs this season.
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