Scotland manager Steve Clarke explains why young Rangers star failed to make his latest squad

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has stressed that Nathan Patterson’s time will come after he opted to stick with his tried and trusted regulars in the problem right-back position.

Rangers' Nathan Patterson during the Europa League Round of 16 first leg draw with Slavia Prague (Photo by Lukas Kabon / SNS Group)

Patterson has been excluded despite calls for the young Rangers right-back to gain a quick call-up after excelling recently for the champions while deputising for injured skipper James Tavernier. He currently has a potential ban looming over him after being one of a number of Rangers players who broke Covid-19 restrictions by attending a party. Clarke is considering reverting to a back four despite recent success with a back three.

“People are quick to knock Stephen O’Donnell but he’s been fantastic for the national team,” said Clarke. “If you took away the name of the player and the club that he plays for, people would be saying, ‘What a really good player!’

“He’s never let me down, he’s never let the team down or let the country down. And Liam Palmer is similar. He’s a back-up to Stephen and any time I have asked him to play he has done well for us.

“But you always have to have an eye on the future and Nathan Patterson’s broken into the Rangers team because of an injury to the captain James Tavernier. He’s done well but he’s played less than 10 first team games so let’s give the boy a little bit of time to find his feet and keep developing. I’m sure that he can be part of the future for Scottish football.”

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