Everton have ‘far better’ player than Kenny and senior teammate in under-23s as footage emerges – pundit
Alan Hutton has insisted Nathan Patterson still needs to win over Duncan Ferguson at Everton after being left out of the squad against Aston Villa.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 20-year-old is a “far better player” than Jonjo Kenny and Seamus Coleman.
Patterson is still yet to make his first-team debut and played for the Toffees’ under-23s against Tottenham on Monday (24 January).
He set up Lewis Dobbin for the only goal of the game.
Meanwhile, caretaker boss Ferguson started Kenny in Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Aston Villa, while Coleman was on the bench.
Hutton suggested Patterson still needs to gain the trust of his fellow countryman to break into the senior side.
“It’s probably been a difficult couple of weeks for him at his new club,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“The manager signing him to then get sacked, not being in a squad, it’s difficult. On the other hand, I understand.
“Duncan Ferguson’s gone back in there, he’s reverted to what he knows, who he knows and who he thinks will run through a brick wall for him. He doesn’t know Nathan Patterson yet. Maybe that’s why.
“Obviously Seamus Coleman was on the bench, Seamus Coleman came into the starting XI. I think Patterson’s a far better player than Kenny and Coleman. He just needs the time to prove himself and show his worth.
“I’ve no doubts he’s going to do that. I think for him it’s just about keeping your head and working hard. Show Duncan Ferguson that you will do anything for the cause, anything for him.
“He’s got that in abundance, he comes from a winning background, a winning mentality. So he’ll be able to prove that to him no problem.
“It’s about just being patient. When he does get the opportunity, he has to grab it with both hands.”
Patterson played 11 times for Rangers this season before moving to Goodison Park.
Coleman and Kenny have made 16 and 7 appearances respectively for Everton this term.
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