Nathan Patterson has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season but it wasn’t enough to beat Hibernian’s Josh Doig to the Scottish Football Writers Association Young Player of the Year award.
As always, Rangers fans conversation quickly swung round to whether or not the Hibs left-back could do a job at Ibrox, with Doig having impressed Steven Gerrard just a few weeks ago when the two youngsters were in direct opposition, as reported by The Daily Record:
“I was fascinated with the battle down that side, I thought Nathan was really good.
“Doig is a good player, again, huge potential. Both lads put in a strong shift.
“I think Nathan just edged it, I must say. He’ll be pleased out of the two but Hibs have a real good player on their hands.
“It was fascinating. A really good battle, I enjoyed it.
“Two honest kids with huge potential. The future is looking bright for Scotland in terms of full-backs – because those two have two big chances of going all the way.”
There’s no doubt that Doig is a talented player, however, we simply don’t need him.
Our very own James Maxwell has enjoyed a stunning debut season at Queen of the South and, in comparison to Doig, matches up really well.
They have both played around 40 senior games but it is Maxwell that comes out in terms of goals and assists with four in each category, the Hibs full-back having just one goal to his name and six assists.
Vital Rangers Goal of the Season
Defoe v Livingston
Roofe v Standard Liege
Jack v Kilmarnock
Tavernier v Dundee United
The Gers youngster may be playing at a lower level but there isn’t a huge drop off between the Premiership and the Championship, especially when you consider that it is Maxwell’s first loan spell away from Ibrox.
I’m all for signing talented young Scottish players but not if they are going to block the pathway of our own, a Premiership loan for Maxwell next season will provide further evidence that he, not Doig, is the man to succeed Borna Barisic.