ANDY LITTLE reckons there are shades of Alan Hutton in Rangers kid Nathan Patterson as the right-back bids to make a name for himself with Scotland this summer.
Patterson's fine form for Steven Gerrard's side has been rewarded with a call-up to the national squad for the European Championships and the fixtures with England, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
It has been a season to remember for the 19-year-old as he deputised for captain James Tavernier and helped Rangers end their decade-long wait to lift the Premiership crown.
And former Ibrox star Little has been hugely impressed with the way that Patterson has gone from strength to strength and bolstered his burgeoning reputation this term.
“He’s incredible," Little told the Essential Scottish Football Podcast.
"Nathan is a fantastic footballer. To play second fiddle to James Tavernier all season and then get an opportunity to come in to massive games – Old Firm derbies, European matches and cup quarter finals – he just took to it like a duck to water.
“Playing was no issue to him whatsoever. He has got all the attributes to have a really, really successful career and he reminds me a little bit of Alan Hutton in the way he plays.
Episode 2 of Any Other Business is now live. @stephenkerr1974 is joined by former @RangersFC striker @AndyLittle_7 who discusses his old club's title triumph, Nathan Patterson's rise & Jamie Ness' decision to open up on his mental health🏴⚽️🎙️https://t.co/j5J5VyoGuH
— Essential Podcasts (@Essential_Pods) May 28, 2021
“All credit to him, it’s an honour to represent your county and I think he gets it.
“I have seen a few photographs of him as a very young Rangers player and a very young Scotland player so it clearly means an awful lot to him which I love to see.
“I love to see players that understand the club and understand that it’s an honour to represent your country. He gets it and I wish him all the best.
“I think you have to give credit to the Rangers Academy. It must be the epitome of any coaches’ career to bring a young player through and see them play at an international tournament. Massive credit to them."
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