Promising Rangers defender Nathan Patterson extends contract to 2024

Nathan Patterson has extended his contract at the club by two years – keeping the right-back at Ibrox until 2024.
Rangers’ Nathan Patterson in action during a friendly match between  Lyon and Rangers.Rangers’ Nathan Patterson in action during a friendly match between  Lyon and Rangers.
Rangers’ Nathan Patterson in action during a friendly match between Lyon and Rangers.

The Scotland under-21 defender made an appearance from the bench during Saturday’s 5-0 win over Ross County and has added more time to his stay with Steven Gerrard’s side in what could be an important move for the club’s succession planning.

His latest two-year extension takes his deal through to summer 2024 – two years beyond the current deal for established right back James Tavernier, whose outstanding form this season has made competition for the right-side of defence particularly difficult for the 19-year-old.

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However Patterson has made the step up when required and replaced the captain at the weekend, while the teenager has also been given a taste of European football. He started the Europa League group stage against Lech Poznan after making his continental bow against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 last year and his physical development has impressed bosses at Ibrox, as well as his strides in the first-team.

Sporting director Ross Wilson told the Rangers website: “We are delighted with Nathan’s development. He is training really well, working diligently and showing strong progress.

“Aside from his technical and tactical work he has made significant physical gains working with our sports science performance staff. He’s made a strong impression on Steven and the staff in training and when he’s played in the team.

“Aside from our staff and his family who support him brilliantly, James Tavernier is another strong and positive influence on Nathan. When he signed a new contract last December I was clear to him and his family that if he outgrew that contract we would reward him further. I am delighted we are doing that in this contract extension which is another positive move in our club.”

Manager Gerrard added: “We have monitored Nathan’s progress closely over the past 18 months. His attitude is second to none, and I am particularly pleased with his desire to learn from his team mates especially our captain, James Tavernier.

“Ross [Wilson] and I have discussed our plan with Nathan for the incoming 18 months and have made our expectations clear. Nathan is a strong example of our player pathway for those who are training with the first-team and in our Academy.”

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