'Still in there' - Nathan Patterson makes Luis Diaz…

'Still in there' - Nathan Patterson makes Luis Diaz joke when addressing Everton form

Everton defender Nathan Patterson believes he is improving every week as he steps up to the challenge of regular Premier League football.

The right-back has started every game for the Blues this season, taking his opportunity with the absence of Seamus Coleman through injury. Despite the club captain being fit again, Coleman hasn't been able to earn his place back in the starting XI thanks to the stunning form of the Scotland international.

Patterson as joined up with his country over the international break and is set to take on Ukraine on Tuesday evening. Ahead of that match, he spoke to former Everton striker James McFadden about his regular appearances for the club - and he admitted he is loving the challenge of Premier League football.

"It's a wee bit abnormal for me. Obviously at Rangers I was a wee bit second choice to Tav [James Tavernier], and then going down to Everton it took me a while to get in the team," said the 20-year-old.

"Obviously the injury ( sustained before he was set to make his league debut in April ) didn't help, but I've started the season well and took my place in the team but you've just got to keep your feet on the ground.

"This season each game creates different challenges as you're playing against top players every week. But you've just got to look forward to each game as it comes.

"It is difficult, each player is different and has their own qualities. You know you're going to be playing against a player that's capable of a bit of magic in each game, so you've got to have full concentration at all times.

"I think that's benefitted me. I's still 20 so I'm going to learn each game. Each game is tough but it's great to be a part of it."

One of the toughest opponents of the season came at the beginning of the month when Liverpool made the visit to Goodison Park. Luis Diaz, who has proven his quality on regular occasions since his move to Anfield in January, played the majority of that game on the left wing for Jurgen Klopp's side but saw his opportunities limited by Patterson.

The defender couldn't help playing along with a little joke about the Reds star, before summing up his general experience of the Merseyside derby.

When McFadden asked if the right-back had let Diaz 'out of his pocket' after the game, Patterson joked: "Probably still in there! No to be fair it was a good game and he was a tough opponent.

"He's a great player at a great club, it's just obviously a challenge for me to see what I can do and nullify their threats. I feel as though I did that.

"It was good. Obviously I'd played in Old Firms but never with any crowd, so to experience a Merseyside Derby with a bonkers Goodison was good.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable and I did think we could have nicked a win, obviously the goal ( by Conor Coady ) got chalked off but it was a great game and I enjoyed it."

Patterson also claimed that he is working closely with Ashley Cole and other members of the Everton staff in reviewing his footage after each match to help him improve all aspects of his game. And he believes there are already results of that work showing in his performances.

He concluded: "It's more Ashley because he's more involved with the first team, but any time you want you can go and chat to any of them. I've been doing my clips each game with Ashley and just working out where I'm improving, and where I can improve.

"Obviously it's benefitted me as I feel you can see so far this season. It's just great to work with someone like that, you just want to soak up all the experiences he has, obviously in my position as well it'd be stupid not to."

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