Scotland under-21s boss Scot Gemmill reckons Nathan Patterson still has a bright future at Everton after an impressive start to pre-season at Goodison Park.
Patterson joined the Premier League club in January in a £16million move from Rangers but has only featured in one competitive game since. That came in a 45 minutes cameo in a FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood before he picked up an ankle injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season. He his now back to full fitness and was given a chance to impress the former Chelsea boss and his coaching staff in pre-season.
The Scotland cap done exactly that as he chipped in with two assists in his sides 4-2 win over Blackpool on Saturday. And Gemmill believes Patterson boasts the “character and physicality and technical ability” to develop into a key figure in Lampard's side. He told Everton 's club website: "Nathan plays with energy and commitment and physicality. Add his technical level to those attributes and his performances stand out.
"He's always had tremendous athleticism and is quick. And he can repeatedly do it [get up and down the field] over the course of a game. Some players fatigue. Nathan can run all day.
“He is a modern defender who can really add to the team’s attack because he is very confident on the ball. Nathan can dribble and beat his man and cross and shoot – and do all those things at high speed.
“He confirmed his offensive talent, how effective and influential he can be in attacking areas, in the games he played for Rangers and Scotland.
“And he is a quick learner, so with the manager and coaching staff and senior players Everton have, he is in a tremendous position to push on.”
Gemmill also points to Patterson's quick rise to the top at national team level as a reason for Toffees fans to not write the 20-year-old off yet. He played four games for Gemmill’s under 21s side before quickly being promoted to the senior set-up at the age of 19 last year.
"He’s probably not been tested defensively at Rangers to the extent he will be in the Premier League with Everton,” added Gemmill.
“But he has cleared every hurdle put in front of him, so far: Playing for Rangers, a big club similar to Everton, with huge fan expectation and atmosphere in the stadium and significant history.
“He’s done it for Scotland. Not all young players get over those hurdles. But up to this point, Nathan has managed to do that and put himself in this position.
“So, of course I would back him to go and confirm himself defensively and show he can succeed in the Premier League, offensively and defensively.
“Evertonians will take to him, I have absolutely no hesitation in that regard. He plays with real determination and fearlessness and is still growing and getting stronger.”
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