Alan Hutton has tipped Liverpool to challenge arch-rivals Everton in pursuit of Rangers starlet Nathan Patterson.
During an interview with Football Insider, Alan Hutton has offered his thoughts on the situation of Nathan Patterson. He has urged Steven Gerrard to take a closer look into the youngster and make him a part of the Rangers team for the upcoming campaign.
A right-back by trade, Patterson has been heavily linked with a move to Everton. He has been a part of Rangers’ youth setup since 2009, at the age of just nine. He is yet to make his actual breakthrough in professional football but has impressed the onlookers with his performances in the youth competitions.
Alan Hutton, who had made 94 competitive appearances for Rangers during his career, certainly believes that Patterson has what it takes to become a potential asset for the club in the coming years.
Speaking of Football Insider, the former Aston Villa defender has praised the youngster while urging Gerrard to make a decision between him and James Tavernier, who is Rangers’ current first-choice right-back and the club captain.
“To be at Rangers for a number of years, to be a Scotland international for a number of years. We’re looking at potential, we’ve seen glimpses of him, I would like to see more. Steven Gerrard will probably have a big decision to make in the coming months. Is it Tavernier or is it Patterson? Can he share the load with Tavernier? We know how good he’s been, he’s the captain, his numbers are excellent.”
“Patterson’s really now starting to push him. It’s probably a headache, I was going to say that he doesn’t want, but it’s a good situation to be in. I’d love to see him push Tavernier all the way. I think he’s got all the makings of being an excellent full-back for Rangers. Two very good full-backs fighting each other for their place,” he added.
And finally, Hutton opened up when asked about all the interest across England for Patterson, even revealing that Liverpool are among the clubs keen on his services.
“I think now where we’re getting to a stage where there’s interest in him from down south, from big clubs. I have heard Liverpool are now sniffing about him as well.”
Liverpool have not been very active in the market, but it goes without saying that they are open to signing a potential alternative for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Nathan Patterson may fit the bill perfectly, although the Reds may have to offload Neco Williams to facilitate the transfer.
Patterson himself, though, may favour a move to Liverpool’s arch-rivals to Everton as they can guarantee him a prominent role in the first-team due to their apparent lack of depth in the right-back position beyond captain Seamus Coleman, who is in the twilight of his career.
