Steve Clarke has shared how Nathan Patterson ‘can only improve’ with regular football at Everton after naming the right-back in his Scotland squad.
The 20-year-old looks to have nailed down a starting place in Frank Lampard’s side and is one of only three outfield players - alongside Alex Iwobi and James Tarkowski - to have played every league minute so far this season. The defender’s ever-presence on the pitch is in stark contrast to the second-half of last season in which he managed just one FA Cup appearance after signing from Rangers for £16million in January.
But injury to club captain Seamus Coleman, coupled with the easing of relegation pressures, has allowed the young Scot to flourish in the wing-back role under Lampard and his performance in the 0-0 Merseyside derby draw at home to Liverpool made him an instant fan-favourite. And Scotland boss Clarke admitted he knew as much would happen just as soon as the full-back got his break.
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"I think I was always quite clear in my mind that if Nathan got the chance to play at Everton he would grab that chance,” Clarke said after the squad announcement today. "He's a big player for his club now and that is great to see. He's been a big player for his country for a little while. Probably playing more football for his country than his club.
"It's nice that he has got that role at Everton and seems to have nailed it down. Playing in the English Premier League week in, week out can only improve Nathan. Which is good for Nathan, Everton and of course Scotland."
Patterson is expected to make his seventh consecutive league start when Everton host West Ham at Goodison Park on Sunday, before breaking off for international duties. His Scotland side face Ukraine twice in their Nations League group, with a clash against the Republic of Ireland between.
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