Steven Gerrard has puzzled Rangers hero Kris Boyd with the lack of minutes the Ibrox boss has awarded defender Nathan Patterson over captain James Tavernier so far this season.
Boyd has penned his bewilderment in a column for The Scottish Sun, suggesting Gerrard is hindering Patterson’s development at present. The Gers boss has only given the 20-year-old five appearances, starting four, across all competitions this term.
In contrast, Tavernier has opened 15 of his 16 outings during 2021/22, for 1,378-minutes – 1,042-minutes more than Patterson so far. Even though Boyd feels the Rangers skipper has not delivered at the same standard as expected from the 29-year-old.
Boyd particularly questions why Gerrard has only awarded Patterson four-minutes in the Premiership since Rangers beat Hibernian earlier this month. The Glasgow-native provided the assist for Kemar Roofe’s equaliser against Jack Ross’ side on his first outing of the term.
“What’s going on there?” Boyd pondered. “The young right-back came into the side for the game against Hibs, he played well, and the team won. Yet he’s not been seen since. Instead James Tavernier has played when his levels have dropped substantially.
“He’s obviously the club captain and it’s maybe tougher for Gerrard to leave him out. But Patterson’s progress is being stunted and that’s not doing him or his market value any good. I just look at Rangers right now and something is off.”
Should Gerrard bench Rangers captain Tavernier for Patterson?
Gerrard stated after Rangers beat Hibs that he fielded Patterson over Tavernier as he trusts the right-back to step in if needed and afford his teammate chances to take a break. Yet has not felt that same need since, to leave Boyd wondering what is going on at Ibrox.
Tavernier is giving Gerrard little reason to take him out of the side in the Premiership right now, however. His crossing was pinpoint against St Mirren as he seemingly turned a corner to create Alfredo Morelos’ winner. And found the Colombian again to score against Aberdeen before netting his second goal of the season so far, too.
The Englishman has had a few defensive lapses to let opponents in behind, but is atoning for those errors. And Tavernier making up for his own mistakes will also keep Patterson out of Gerrard’s plans at Rangers.
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