Speaking exclusively to Rangers News, Gordon Smith has tipped Nathan Patterson for big things at Rangers after he signed a contract extension with the club.
Patterson made his senior Rangers debut in a Scottish Cup tie against Stranraer in January 2020 and has since made a further five appearances for the first-team, the most recent of which coming as a substitute in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Ross County.
The young right-back has had to show patience as James Tavernier’s understudy, but he has been rewarded for his efforts with a deal that runs through to the summer of 2024.
Former Gers director of football Smith, who won major honours during his time at Ibrox as a player, thinks it was a great move to tie the 19-year-old down and he expects big things from him in the coming years.
“Any time I’ve seen him play I think he’s outstanding,” Smith told Rangers News. “There’s no doubt about it if he wasn’t the reserve to somebody like Tavernier who’s having a great season, then he’d be a regular in the team.”
“It’s hard to break in for him but there’s no doubt that Steven Gerrard rates him highly. He brought him on at the weekend there and took Tavernier off and he did well.
“I think it’s a very good signing and he’s got a long-term glossy future at the club.”
Patterson is one of several highly-rated youngsters emerging at Ibrox right now, with winger Kai Kennedy and central midfielder Ciaran Dickson also recently signing contract extensions.
Kennedy received a lot of praise from Rangers supporters at the weekend after a dazzling debut display for loan club Raith Rovers against Hearts.