Former Rangers star Matt Polster has backed Ibrox teen Nathan Patterson to launch a sustained challenge for James Tavernier’s place in the first-team at Ibrox next season, and admits he’s been impressed by the defender’s appearances when he’s stepped in to deputise for the skipper.
Patterson was given a run of games after injury left Tavernier on the sidelines recently and Polster thinks he’s shown he belongs as part of the first-team squad now.
While Patterson has had to miss the final weeks of the season through suspension, Polster can only see him getting better in the future.
“I was training with him quite a bit and he is a player with a lot of talent and he has shown this season that he has done really, really well, Polster told the Glasgow Times.
“He stepped into that role when Tav was injured and took on that responsibility. He has done really well and he has proven to the group that he can play at that level.
“He is a young boy so I am sure he will be able to keep improving on that and he has got a pretty level head as well so I can only see him going further.
“Nathan has done incredibly well, he has come in immediately when Tav was out and proved himself that he can play at that level.
“He has a really level head, he is committed and he wants to push himself. I know he can compete and fight for that position.
“He is determined and I could tell that from training with him when he was with us.
“He wanted to push himself, he wanted to be part of the group and to prove himself and fight for that position.
“Now that he has that opportunity, he has shown in every game that he can play at this level and in big matches like the Old Firm.”
Polster now plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer but the American has continued to keep tabs on the Light Blues from the other side of the pond.
With Patterson hopefully pushing Tavernier for regular starts next season, the Scotland under-21 international will be looking to make a big impression in the coming months and force his way into Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side.
In other news, Fabrizio Romano has interesting news for Arsenal fans about Emile Smith Rowe
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