Van Bronckhorst has made ‘brilliant’ move to keep Patterson at Rangers after major development – pundit
Noel Whelan has backed Rangers starlet Nathan Patterson to thrive in an “advanced” role under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The former Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the new Gers boss would play the 20-year-old right-back wherever he can to convince him to remain at Ibrox.
Patterson replaced Ianis Hagi with 24 minutes remaining against Sparta Prague on Thursday, playing ahead of James Tavernier on the right flank.
Van Bronkhorst, speaking after the win, revealed his desire to “play with width” and get the full-backs involved in attack.
According to the Scottish Daily Mail (October 20th, print edition; page 80), Rangers are braced for Everton to launch a January bid for Patterson.
Whelan suggested Van Bronkhorst would utilise the youngster anywhere to give him the game time he wants to stay.
“Van Bronckhorst may have seen the quality he possesses by watching him in games for Scotland,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“For someone who has been linked with Premier League clubs, maybe the manager thinks: ‘I don’t want you going anywhere, so I’m going to play you’.
“I’ve got no doubt he can play in that advanced role. He’s got great feet, he can put in a brilliant ball, links up well and he’s a player who will relish that box-to-box role.
“He’s started brilliantly under Giovanni. Now he’s proving what a good player he is and he’s really giving the manager a problem.”
Patterson has made just seven appearances for Rangers this season.
The youngster recently starred in an advanced role for Scotland.
He scored a goal and contributed an assist in the win against Moldova.
In other news, Alex McLeish has revealed what he’s ‘hearing’ from Rangers sources about training under Van Bronckhorst.