Ali McCoist hopes Rangers ‘talent’ Nathan Patterson can push himself into Scotland line-up - The Boot Room
International Rangers icon Ally McCoist has encouraged Nathan Patterson to push himself in Scotland’s training camp ahead of Euro 2020. Speaking to the Scottish Sun , the Ibrox legend believes the Rangers teenager will give it their all to catch the eye of Steve Clark. Photo by...
Rangers icon Ally McCoist has encouraged Nathan Patterson to push himself in Scotland’s training camp ahead of Euro 2020.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, the Ibrox legend believes the Rangers teenager will give it their all to catch the eye of Steve Clark.
Patterson received his first Scotland call-up ahead of this summer’s Euros, along with fellow youngsters Billy Gilmour and David Turnbull.
A promising talent for club and country
The right-back impressed for Rangers in the latter stages of last season. Patterson filled in for the injured James Tavernier and thrived in the position as Steven Gerrard’s side finished the league campaign unbeaten.
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And for McCoist, Patterson should take this Scotland call-up with both hands and learn as much as possible.
Nathan Patterson is ‘a talent’
The former Rangers star said: “What an opportunity it is for them. If I was Turnbull or Patterson, or Billy Gilmour when he joins up with the squad, I’d soak everything in.
“Every day in training they’ve got to be busting a gut to catch Stevie’s eye. If they get an opportunity against the Dutch, they’ve got to try and force their way into the starting line-up.
“But the way Patterson performed when he got in the Rangers side, you thought, ‘Here’s a talent’.”
Patterson has chance to make international statement
The 19-year-old defender has enjoyed a breakout season with Rangers under Gerrard. In all competitions, Patterson made 14 appearances and scored twice for the Glaswegian giants.
And this summer, the teenager has the chance to make a claim for himself on an international level by impressing Clark and establishing himself as the nation’s right-back for the next few years.
Patterson might have to wait before taking the mantle fully off Tavernier at Rangers, but for Scotland, the opportunity is there for the youngster to become the country’s starting right-back.
And these pre-Euro 2020 friendlies will be the perfect setting for the prospect to prove his worth.
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