I don’t think it’s too bold a statement to suggest that James Tavernier will outlast Nathan Patterson at Rangers.
Not because the Scotland international will be deemed surplus to requirements but because it will become impossible to continuously fight off interest from the Premier League for one of Britain’s hottest prospects.
We’ve already seen an £8million bid from Everton rejected, then there was a report that Liverpool were keeping an eye on him, now, according to 90min.com, Manchester United are said to have joined the queue:
“Rangers captain James Tavernier was a player considered by United in the summer, but while he remains a possibility, it’s another member of Steven Gerrard’s title winning side that is now of interest – teenage sensation Nathan Patterson.”
The article highlights a number of right-backs that United are watching, however, the link to the Gers pair has to be taken with a pinch of salt though. Tavernier is a good player, and has been outstanding since Steven Gerrard took over as Rangers manager but, at 30-years old, and with no disrespect, is he really the sort of player that you could see at a club that has just signed Jadon Sancho and Ronaldo?
A move for Patterson would make more sense though given that they could pick him up for a relative bargain, already an international with major tournament experience as well as playing with Rangers in Europe, at 19, he is ahead of the curve in terms of development – the easiest comparison is Kieran Tierney, a left-footed version of the Gers full-back who broke through at the same age and look at how much he went for, and how much he is worth now.
The fact that any fee accepted for Patterson will all be profit and that we are well covered in his position for the next three to four years, if Tavernier stays fit, makes it a business decision that makes sense, emotionally though, all we want is to see the academy graduate make the position his own and stay there for a very long time.