Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey can battle to be Scotland's first choice right-back just like Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney do at left-back.
That's the view of Brentford player Hickey who replaced Patterson in the early stages of his country's recent win against Ukraine after the emerging Everton star was forced off injured. Hickey was able to nullify the threat of summer Blues target Mykhaylo Mudryk, helping to add weight to his claim on the coveted right-back berth.
After a period in international football where Scotland have been blessed with two outstanding left-backs in the shape of captain Robertson and Arsenal's Tierney, Patterson and Hickey are looking to replicate the battle on the opposite flank in Steve Clarke's defence.
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As reported by The Herald, Hickey said: “Can Nathan and I be the new Robertson and Tierney? I hope so. We have two brilliant left-backs on the other side and then Nathan has done really well at Everton.
"Are we rivals? No, I don't see it that way. We are mates and we speak to each other quite a lot. We push each other on, of course we do, we both want to play, but we all want Scotland to be successful.”
Patterson has made a rapid impact this season after being given his chance to shine in the Everton starting XI. Originally signed by Rafa Benitez from Rangers in January, shortly before the Spaniard was sacked, the 20-year-old spent the first four months of his Blues career in the U23s set-up before an ankle injury brought his season to a premature end.
Having impressed with Rangers, he already has 11 caps for Scotland, scoring once against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier in November 2021. After leaving Scottish Premier League side Hearts, 20-year-old Hickey spent two seasons in Italy with Bologna, before the Serie A side accepted an offer from the Bees this summer to bring him to the Premier League. Hickey has six caps for Scotland so far.
Meanwhile, the injury Patterson sustained last Wednesday against Ukraine - which saw him stretchered off the pitch - is claimed not to be as serious as first feared, with suggestions he could be sidelined for just a short period of time.
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