Scotland manager Steve Clarke hopes to see Everton defender Nathan Patterson break his way into Frank Lampard 's first team after struggling for minutes and starts since arriving from Rangers in January.
Patterson has only featured for the Toffees once, a 2-0 win over non-league side Boreham Wood in the FA Cup in January. But he only lasted 45 minutes and has not played for the first-team since.
Clarke that he has spoken to Everton boss Lampard about reintroducing the 20-year-old into the first-team fold but understands that with Premier League survival on the line, it's difficult to integrate a youngster into a team that is battling to stay in England's top-flight.
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The former West Brom manager also said Patterson has a huge obstacle to overcome in club captain Seamus Coleman also being a right back and the experience he brings in the situation the Blues find themselves in.
“He’s had almost nothing in terms of game time," Clarke told the Glasgow Times. "It would have been difficult to think about playing Nathan in a really competitive match like a play-off semi-final.
“I feel this is an opportunity to get some minutes into his legs which will be good for us and good for Nathan. Hopefully, he performs so well that he makes Frank pick him for Everton.
"I know Frank well and I’ve had a little conversation with him about Nathan but obviously Frank is in a situation where he is scrapping for points to stay in the Premier League. It’s difficult when your captain is also a right back in Seamus Coleman."
