Nathan Patterson is determined to keep seizing any opportunities that come his way following his “surreal” Rangers debut.
The 18-year-old started in Friday’s 2-0 William Hill Scottish Cup win over Stranraer and put himself in the frame for more appearances, with fellow right-back James Tavernier facing a couple of weeks out through illness.
Patterson said: “It was surreal – a great feeling walking out in front of 40,000 fans for the club I love. I had butterflies all day but walking out the tunnel they just went and I was buzzing to get going.
“I am just taking each day as it comes along, just doing my best and hopefully I can take any opportunity that comes my way
“I have shown I can play in front of 40,000 fans. That’s what I want to be doing.”
The defender featured in a friendly win over Lokomotiv Tashkent the previous weekend after being called up to train with the first-team on their winter break camp in Dubai.
“There is more intensity and higher standards – you need to always be on your game and that’s what I think I have done well,” said Patterson, who was presented with a cheque for £450,000 for the Rangers academy from the Rangers Youth Development Company.
Patterson also found it beneficial to train alongside captain Tavernier.
“He’s a great player,” the teenager said. “Every game I watch and try to pick up on things, see what he does and things I can improve on.
“It’s good to train with him; he always gives you good advice and always encourages you when you do something well. If you maybe make a mistake he tells you how you can improve on that.”
