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“I don’t see it helping” – has Gio got Patterson tactic wrong?

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Much of the talk from Rangers fans at the start of this season was how Steven Gerrard was going to play both James Tavernier and Nathan Patterson.

Fresh from playing for Scotland in the European Championships, Patterson was always going to need to consolidate his development by getting more time on the pitch, however, with the captain standing in his way, it was never going to be easy.

He saw a few substitute appearances and even came on in a front three against St Mirren, however, it wasn’t until Giovanni van Bronkhorst arrived that there appeared to be a specific plan for him.

Against both Livingston and Sparta Prague, Patterson was brought on to shut down the right-hand side and add an extra defensive capability in front of Tavernier whilst still retaining pace to counter attack.

Former Gers right-back, Alan Hutton, doesn’t agree that this is the best approach though and would prefer to see him in his more natural position, as told to Football Insider:

“You want to be on the pitch and especially when they’re young, you will literally play anywhere to get on the park.

“But me personally, I don’t really see how that’s helping him develop. From my point of view, I was never that type of player who could play that position. I always wanted to play from full-back coming onto the ball.

“I think Patterson is that as well. He’s a powerful runner and he’s better when he sees the full pitch when he’s coming on to the football. I don’t really see it helping his development if I’m totally honest.

“You have to think of someone’s development. Is he a right-winger? Is he a forward player? No, he’s not. He’s a full-back, an attacking, modern-day full-back.

“You have to play in your position, learn the position, get the experience through minutes on the pitch. Playing out of position doesn’t help that.

“I would like to see him play at right-back. I know James Tavernier has done excellently well. Whether they have to chop and change a little bit for Patterson to get his minutes.”

Normally, Hutton speaks a lot of sense and I usually find myself agreeing with him, however, on this occasion I think he’s got it wrong.

The way that Rangers play means that the full-backs spend most of their time attacking and have to be comfortable in possession in and around the opponents box, that our third goal against Livi came from a corner won by neat interplay between Tavernier and Patterson shows that the manager was justified in his decision.

What it also means is that the two can rotate round, whenever Tav overlaps, Patterson can drop in and cover and is naturally suited to this job whereas Ianis Hagi – who has started under Gio on the right-hand side – is more likely to look for space further forward, when we are already in front it just gives us that extra element of protection and support for the centre-halves.

I’ve no doubt that we will see Patterson start games at right-back too but, in the mean time, there is nothing wrong with him coming on further forwards – it certainly beats him going out on loan or him sitting on the bench.

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