With the next national team break looming it’s time Scotland followed England’s lead and fast-tracked a Rangers player destined to make a starting berth his own in the coming years.
Rangers kid Nathan Patterson has shown he can hold his own at even European level and has been an able and willing deputy in the absence of captain James Tavernier.
Despite being routinely targeted, Patterson has stood up, puffed his chest out, and played with an honesty and ability which backs up all the wonderful things Steven Gerrard says about him.
Following his performance against Slavia Prague, Gerrard said 19-year-old Patterson was now a “man”, describing the game as the biggest of the youngster’s career [Rangers].
Scotland has had well-documented issues at right-back ever since Alan Hutton stepped out of the picture with Motherwell full-back Stephen O’Donnell the current occupant.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Liam Palmer has also been tried, whilst after this we’re moving into the realms of Paul McGinns and Shaun Rooneys.
Patterson might be 19, but he is a future Rangers first-teamer and with that will come a natural step into the Scotland side.
But where Scotland has dallied in recent years is in the fast-tracking of their best talent to help develop them quicker and earlier.
England have a culture of bleeding footballers young, offering them opportunities at national level early and are now reaping the benefits.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, 17, is the latest in a conveyor belt of talent to be offered opportunities early and he follows the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho as young talents recognised on the international stage.
A chance on Patterson is an opportunity Scotland should take at the next available juncture, his performances on the European stage evident that he is willing to compete at a higher level.
There are arguments too for the likes of Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, another stand-out, young Scottish talent side-lined from the top team due to unerring loyalty to consistently underperforming players.
Scotland might have one eye on the Euros when the international break rolls round, but if they’ve any sense, they’ll have one eye on the future too and Patterson – whether it’s in this squad or one of the next – is most certainly part of it.
Rangers set up an enticing Europa League return at Ibrox as they shook off a difficult opening period to earn a 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic.
