Rangers ‘working’ on new signing after Patterson exit amid ‘setback’ fears – pundit
Alan Hutton has tipped Rangers to be “working” on signing a new right-back following Nathan Patterson’s move to Everton.
The former Ibrox defender and Rangers TV pundit, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he has concerns over the lack of options should James Tavernier be sidelined.
Rangers confirmed on Tuesday (4 January) Patterson had been sold for a club-record fee to join Everton.
As revealed by Football Insider (4 January), the right-back has signed a £28,000-a-week contract at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have paid an initial £12million, rising to £16million with add-ons, to sign Patterson.
With Tavernier the only recognised senior right-back at Ibrox right now, Hutton suggested the Light Blues would be working on a number of potential signings.
Asked if he thought the Gers would enter the market for another right-back this month, Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Yeah. You have to.
“To sell someone like Nathan Patterson, who arguably could have been the next Rangers full-back for 10 years, that option’s gone now.
“So you have to bring somebody in. You know how these funny things work.
“Tavernier rarely gets any injuries. All of a sudden, something happens. Patterson’s away and you are bare. You can never stand still.
“I know how these things work. It’s not necessarily injury, the Covid issues that are coming up, it can be anything. There’s a little setback and you’re missing someone for a couple of weeks.
“Knowing that Patterson could have gone this window, Rangers will have a plan A, B and C, probably. They’ll just be working in the background, looking at people.”
Tavernier has featured in all but five of Rangers’ 33 matches across all competitions this season.
Meanwhile, Patterson started just six times in 11 appearances for the Gers this term.
In other news, pundit fears Rangers could sell two more first-teamers after Patterson exit.