Rangers director Stewart Robertson has claimed that the sale of Nathan Patterson could help make the Ibrox club sustainable – as a team of data analysts claim Everton paid over the full-back’s current value.
The young Scotland international, 20, moved to Goodison Park in January on a deal that will see Rangers rake in £12m rising to £16m depending on his success [Sky Sports].
The landmark deal was a record-breaking one for Rangers and signified the beginning of the so-called player trading model at Ibrox that the club’s board have talked up for so long.
Described as one of the four pillars of the club’s business model, Rangers’ reluctance to sell seen the club post losses of over £20m last year as the Gers built back to become Champions.
But from here on out a revolving Ibrox door is set to become the norm as Rangers aim to buy low and sell high in order to maintain profitability.
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Speaking to Sky Sports about the move, Stewart Robertson claimed the Patterson cash injection has Rangers in line for profitability this season.
“Nathan Patterson’s transfer to Everton that’s given us the fourth pillar to our business model,” said Robertson.
“We’re now likely to be in a profitable situation this season and going forward we will be sustainable. That’s very much the business model now.
“From this season forward we want to be sustainable. That’s the business model that’s in place. It’s been discussed and signed off by the board.
“That’s my responsibility to make sure we do all the things to be there. That’s what Rangers has to be, we can’t go back to the situation we had 10 years ago. That just can’t happen at all.”
Speaking about Nathan Patterson specifically, Robertson said:
“We haven’t sold a player for multiple millions for many, many years. A key part of our strategy was the trading of players and I think it lends credibility to the value of your squad.
“When other clubs realise what your players are worth then it begins to change the way they look at your players.
“That’s why runs in Europe are very important because if you can show the way your players are competing at the top level and show their worth – all of that helps to enhance the value of your players.”
Everton paid Rangers three times Nathan Patterson’s current value
The comments come after data analysts 21st Group claimed Everton had paid three times Nathan Patterson’s market value at the time of purchasing.
Based on his first-team exposure at Ibrox, the recruitment analysts claimed that their metrics valued Patterson at only £4m.
However, they’re clear that the money paid reflects Patterson’s potential, something not included in the valuation.
“Everton’s purchase of Nathan Patterson reflected the club’s own estimations of the Scot’s potential,” said Omar Chaudhuri, the group’s chief intelligence officer [Daily Mail].
“Our model valued him at €5m (£4M), far below the reported €14m (£12M) paid.
“Patterson had played less than 600 professional league minutes for Rangers, and while expectations are high it is rare to see such inexperienced players transact for such sums.”
Credit must go to sporting director Ross Wilson in this instance for negotiating a suitable fee based on Nathan’s potential.
Meanwhile, one former Scotland international captain and Rangers midfielder claims he’s eyeing a return to Ibrox.