Everton stalwart Seamus Coleman has backed Scotland international Nathan Patterson to light up the English Premier League for at least the next decade.
The former Rangers full-back has played every minute in all three of Everton’s league matches so far this season before lining up alongside Coleman for just over an hour in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win at Scott Brown’s Fleetwood Town.
Patterson has had to be patient in his bid to make an impact at Goodison Park after joining in a £16 million move from Ibrox in January.
His only first team outing for the Toffees last term came in a 45 minute run out in March’s FA Cup win over Boreham Wood, a month before his season was cut short due to an ankle problem that required surgery.
But experienced Republic of Ireland right-back Coleman believes the 20-year-old has all the attributes to enjoy a long and successful career in English’s elite division.
Speaking to EvertonTV, Coleman said: “First and foremost, I look at the character of the person Nathan is.
"He’s a great lad. He’s really humble and very hard-working.
“On top of that, you can see the quality he has.
“He is still young, but he shows great attributes, bursting forward and playing one-twos. He looks as fit as a fiddle.
“With the likes of myself, Tarky [James Tarkowski], Conor [Coady], Jordan [Pickford] – and there’s lots of other experienced lads in the squad, too.
"It’s our job to help him along the way and make sure he becomes a Premier League player for the next 10 or 12 years because he’s got that ability.”
