Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has asserted that exciting Academy star Nathan Patterson is not yet ‘100 per cent’ ready for the first team, as quoted by the Scotsman.
With James Tavernier out for a couple of weeks following a small procedure to resolve an appendix problem, the right-back slot is currently up for grabs.
After he impressed with his display during the friendly clash against Lokomotiv Tashkent on Saturday, plenty of Bears have called for Patterson to make his competitive debut.
However, based on Gerrard’s latest comments, a start seems unlikely, with the implication being that the teenager isn’t quite physically developed enough yet for the demands of the senior game.
“Nathan Patterson is one for the future,” the Scotsman. “I wouldn’t say he is 100 per cent ready for the first team just yet but I gave him a taste of it in our friendly in Dubai last weekend and he did himself no harm.”
“Talent and ability-wise, I like what I see. If Nathan keeps progressing and developing the areas around that talent, then I predict a bright future for him.”
Verdict
This may be disappointing news for some Bears who were hoping to see the 18-year-old star in tonight’s Scottish Cup Fourth Round clash against Stranraer.
However, it looks like the Lokomotiv friendly was the time for experimentation and now that competitive action is back, Gerrard won’t be taking any undue risks.
Patterson may still have an outside chance of making the squad, but it looks like it’ll be a straight fight between Jon Flanagan and Matt Polster for the starting berth.
Neither player has had any significant game time of late, and it seems that this Cup clash will be used to get them fully up to speed before the return to Premiership action against St Mirren.
