If Nathan Patterson was still at Rangers, James Tavernier wouldn’t just be looking over his shoulder, he’d be sharing game time with him.
The Scotland international was on an upward trajectory when he left Ibrox for a deal that could be worth a reported £16m but has seen injury affect his progress at Everton.
Ironically, it is injury that has seen Nathan Patterson start his first game in four months with Seamus Coleman on the sidelines as the former Rangers full-back finally makes his mark.
In a relegation fight you need heart, mental strength, commitment and desire.
Quality is a bonus but Patterson has all of these traits in abundance.
He is fearless.
Which makes Sean Dyche’s reluctance to play him all the more bemusing.
Have Sean Dyche’s comments fired up Nathan Patterson?
Referring to Nathan Patterson, with 13 international caps, as “not a bona fide Premier League player” is bizarre, as if playing for Rangers in the Europa League is non-league and Old Firm derbies are a walk in the park.
Things are pretty desperate for the Toffees but a 5-1 win away to Brighton puts them in a strong position to avoid the drop.
Nathan Patterson pulling out the sort of performance he did for Rangers to pocket the highly rated Kaoru Mitoma.
Dyche telling BT Sport after the game:
“I thought Pato was terrific, coming in for Seamus who has been amazing since he got to the club
“Smothered him when he could and stayed tuned in when he had to when the ball was on the other side.”
Patterson offers everything as a full-back.
For wingers he must be a nightmare because of his pace and aggression plus his desire to get on the front foot and drive his team forward.
However, Nathan Patterson also has the ability to follow instructions as seen by the way he has adapted to different formations for both Rangers and Scotland.
Dyche may have been reluctant to throw Patterson in but, after a 5-1 win and an outstanding performance, as with at Rangers, the youngster has his sights set on the skipper’s shirt.
