The 22-year-old right-back for Scotland’s international team has faced criticism from his own Tartan Army supporters due to the team’s dismal recent performance.
Despite a strong effort from Northern Ireland, Everton right-back Nathan Patterson gave the ball to Liverpool rival Connor Bradley, who bent in the winning goal, as Scotland lost 1-0 at Hampden.
This comes after Patterson participated for seventy-three minutes in Scotland’s crushing 4-0 loss to the Netherlands.
This circumstance has sharply focused the growing criticism of Scotland players who play for Rangers.
Nathan Patterson has joined John Souttar and Ryan Jack in succumbing to the monotonous shouts of the Scotland support; however, Simon Donnelly has now emerged victorious.
Nathan Patterson’s backing by Simon Donnelly
It may come as a shock to see an ex-Parkhead great come to the young youngster’s defense, as many Scotland supporters who support Rangers will seize any chance to criticize a player who supports Rangers.
Nathan Patterson will overcome the jeers, according to former Scotland striker Donnelly, even if the right-back isn’t playing enough minutes for Everton.
As Scotland’s losing streak approaches seven games, Donnelly launched a robust defense of the former Rangers player in an interview with Clyde Superscoreboard.
“I refuse to join this (bandwagon),” said Simon Donnelly.
Nathan Patterson, the child, faced a few challenging games there. Everybody has them. He will return.
“I think the case with (Scott) McTominay, he doesn’t play every game but he plays a reasonable amount of games with Manchester United,” Donnelly said later in the program.
“If those critics were right, he probably gets enough minutes to contribute and be useful.
“At Everton, Patterson, in particular, and Lyndon Dykes do not get enough playing time.
“I believe that’s possibly where Steve Clarke came up with the idea to give the kid the minutes in the two games,” but it can be challenging when you haven’t been playing consistently.
Scotland’s potential at Rangers’ core Celtic strife
Scotland’s run-up to Euro 2024 is undoubtedly stressful, and as Steve Clarke’s team falters, the more vocal Celtic component of the Tartan Army fanbase is becoming impatient.
The Scottish national team, like Scottish society as a whole, suffers from a chronic lack of cohesiveness, and the men’s team is regrettably often used for purposes other than sports, such as politics.
Many fans have been divided as a result of it, though not all of them have, and it has been suggested that players who are associated to the Rangers often bear the brunt of anti-Ibrox attitude among certain Tartan Army supporters.
The criticism of Nathan Patterson by Celtic supporters, who are often waging a tribal battle for their own player’s cause, is an effort to undermine the team, with right-back Anthony Ralston leading the way.
That’s fine – we do it too – but it’s refreshing to see Simon Donnelly stand up for ex-Ibrox star Nathan Patterson here.
The £16m right-back is undoubtedly the nation’s most talented option in this position and as he struggles for Premier League minutes at Everton, it appears the kid is an easy scapegoat.
Whilst some of the criticism is undoubtedly merited, there’s plenty who feel it’s got about as much to do with Patterson’s form as it does with his off-field loyalties.
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