Scotland manager Steve Clarke has provided an update on Rangers star Nathan Patterson after he was forced to miss an important friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday [Sky Sports Scotland].
The 19-year-old right-back and five other Scotland players weren’t allowed to travel with the squad from their training camp in Spain to the Algarve after John Fleck tested positive for Covid-19.
All six of those forced to stay behind had tested negative and none were formal close contacts of Fleck’s, but the Scottish FA opted to be ‘extra cautious’ as they had been in ‘close proximity’ to the former Ger [STV].
Patterson will no doubt have been extremely disappointed, as he missed out on a chance to make his senior debut.
However, his Scotland bow may only have been delayed by a few days, as Steve Clarke has confirmed that only Fleck will sit out training on Thursday ahead of a second friendly against Luxembourg on Sunday.
“Everyone will train except for John Fleck, who’s, unfortunately, stuck in his room for a few days,’ he said [Sky Sports Scotland].
Patterson has represented Scotland at U17, U18, U19 and U21 level and earned his maiden senior call-up after outstanding late-season performances for Rangers against Celtic and in the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Sunday’s friendly in Luxembourg is Clarke’s last chance to look at players ahead of Euro 2020, with Scotland kicking off their tournament with a Group D fixture against the Czech Republic at Hampden on Monday 14th June.
In other news, Rangers are reportedly interested in a £3m-rated winger currently playing for a European top-flight club.
