With James Tavernier’s time at Ibrox closer to the end than it is to the start it is time to look at the future of the right side of defence for Rangers.
Many players have come and gone during Tavernier’s decade of service at Ibrox: Lee Hodson, Matt Polster, John Flanagan, Adam Devine, Mateusz Żukowski all with varying degrees of success.
Dujon Sterling remains at Ibrox as an option at right back, but his versatility may also be a hindrance, with his ability to play across the backline or in midfield sees him regularly manovered around positions to cover for shortcomings elsewhere. He also struggles to stay fit and available for extended periods of time which adds to his inability to nail down the spot as his own.
But could we see the return of one of Tavernier’s former deputies to finally take over as successor to the almost ever-present skipper?
Enter Nathan Patterson, a product of the Rangers academy and formerly the prince to Tavernier’s throne; in 2022 Rangers made the choice to allow the Scotland international to depart for Everton, with the Toffee’s paying a reported £11m plus add-ons for the then 20-year-old defender.
Fast forward three and a half years and Patterson remains on Merseyside, but with only 59 appearances over his spell at the Blues, and entering the final two years of his contract, could we tempt the home-grown hero back to his boyhood home?
Patterson’s time in the Premier League has been one of promise punctuated by frustration. Injuries have played their part, but managerial changes and Everton’s chaotic form haven’t helped his development either.
While he’s shown glimpses of the dynamic full-back Rangers fans remember, bursting runs, committed challenges, and attacking intent, he’s yet to truly establish himself as a first-team regular at club level, and this has seen him in and out of a starting role at international level too.
A return to Ibrox might just be the reset Patterson needs. Still only 23, he offers a blend of youth and experience few can match. He knows the club, understands the expectations, and crucially, he’s already proven he can handle the pressure that comes with pulling on the shirt.
There’s also a symbolic value: a homegrown player coming full circle to fill the void left by the captain he once shadowed and worked his initial apprenticeship under.
Of course, finances will play a part. Everton may look to recoup a portion of their outlay, though his contract situation means it may be viable for the Gers to get him at a discount.
For Rangers, bringing Patterson home would be more than just a nostalgic move, it would be a statement of intent, a nod to the future built on foundations of the past whilst moving bravely forward into a new era.
As the Tavernier era gradually edges towards its twilight, the question of succession becomes more pressing. Patterson may not just be the sentimental choice, he could be the right one.