Scotland international Stephen O’Donnell has opened up on the calls for him to be replaced by Rangers prodigy Nathan Patterson at Euro 2020 and admits he’s “not embarassed” by the fans and media demanding he be replaced in Steve Clarke’s side.
O’Donnell had a nightmare performance in the opening game against the Czech Republic but turned things around in the following two fixtures, but fans were disappointed at the lack of minutes for the Rangers teen at the finals.
The Motherwell defender insisted it is something he has become used to over his career and hailed his young pretender as a “top, top talent” after making the breakthrough for Rangers and Scotland over the last 12 months, telling BBC Scotland: “Every game I’ve played, it’s always been: “How’s he in it?” First it was at Kilmarnock and Motherwell: “He’s keeing such and such out”, or “he’s he’s better than him”.
“It happens all over the park, but I think naturally it comes to the right-back and you go: “Motherwell?” And there’s questions asked.
” It’s only natural, it’s opinions, and on this trip, obviously Nathan was away at the Euros and, Nathan, I hadn’t seen huge amounts of him beforehand, but what I seen of him when we were away, he’s a top, top talent, and then you’ve also got the likes of James Forrest and Ryan Fraser who can play wingback.
“So, I’m not embarrassed to say these guys are getting touted ahead of me, and I just need to try keep my performance at a level that the manager’s with first and foremost.
“If I can get praise from the press and the media, then great, but the one I need to try and keep happy is the manager, and I think the players will see with how much it means to me, that hopefully they’ll stay behind me as well.”
Rangers star is Scotland’s future at right-back
Despite only getting limited minutes for Scotland at Euro 2020, Patterson is the long-term future for Steve Clarke’s side at right-back.
The Rangers teen has shown fantastic growth since breaking into the first-team squad at Ibrox and is a genuine challenger for Ibrox skipper James Tavernier’s starting jersey.
It won’t be too long before he takes O’Donnell’s place in the Scotland side but it seems the Motherwell defender isn’t going to give it up without a fight.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
