Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson has expressed his delight regarding Scotland call-ups for Ibrox duo Jon McLaughlin and Nathan Patterson ahead of Euro 2020 [RangersTV].
Ryan Jack will miss Scotland’s first major tournament appearance in 23 years after undergoing surgery, while several other players with connections to Ibrox will also miss out.
Rangers-supporting Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie and Norwich City star and former Gers youth Kenny McLean, who has been linked with a return to Ibrox, are both also injured.
McLaughlin and Patterson both made the cut when the squad was announced on Wednesday, though, and Wilson is pleased for both players.
“Absolutely delighted,” he said in response to the news [RangersTV]. “Jon’s place – for us anyway – was absolutely clear. A top goalkeeper and he’ll do the national team proud any time that Jon’s called upon, as he’s done for Rangers as well. He’s been fantastic in all of his appearances here.”
“We are delighted that Nathan has been called up. Obviously, there’s been a bit of speculation about how Steve Clarke would treat the extra places he had in the squad and there’s been a few injuries as well.
“We think Nathan is there on merit, there’s no question about that in our minds. I think everyone could see just how high potential Nathan is when he’s played for Rangers already and we were delighted for him, we’re proud of him and I know his family will be overjoyed with this as well.”
McLaughlin only has two senior caps to his name despite making his debut back in 2018, but he’s been a regular in squads in recent times.
As yet, it’s unclear who will be Scotland’s no.1 at the tournament, but the Gers keeper is likely to be third choice, with David Marshall and Craig Gordon fighting it out for the starting berth.
Patterson has represented Scotland at U17, U18, U19 and U21 level but this is his first-ever senior international call-up.
He’ll be hoping to make his debut in one of two friendlies against the Netherlands and Luxembourg early next month before pushing experienced Motherwell right-back Stephen O’Donnell for a place in the Euros starting XI.
In other news, a former Rangers star has been labelled ‘different class’ after his goal moved his current club to the brink of a shock promotion.
