STUART MCCALL thinks that Nathan Patterson can force his way into Steve Clarke’s thinking for a starting spot at the European Championships by wowing the national team manager in training.
McCall pointed to the impact that Borussia Dortmund youngster Jude Bellingham has had on England manager Gareth Southgate recently as evidence of the opportunity just being involved with the squad can offer.
And given how much Patterson has impressed him in his fleeting appearances for Rangers so far, McCall wouldn’t be overly surprised to see him challenging Stephen O’Donnell for a start at right-back.
“He really impresses me,” McCall said. “It’s great that he’s got into the squad.
“If he could have finished the season by playing the last four or five games and really put himself in the forefront of it, that might have been better for him.
“Stephen O’Donnell has done fantastically well for Scotland and Motherwell. I think we all believe he’ll be first pick. But I think Nathan will be pushing in training. Just being in the camp can change a manager’s mind.
“You bring somebody in and they change your mind. Gareth Southgate said the other day that the young kid Bellingham had blown him away in training sessions.
“I remember Oli Burke coming into the group, when we had no pace in the Scotland group, and we felt ready to throw him in right away to stretch the game.
“With 26 players instead of 23, I would always argue for the extra three to be younger ones. They learn what it’s like being in your group, travelling away, training together. Steve will also get to know them as characters around the hotel.
“Nathan certainly comes into his thinking, even if we can’t get carried away after 10 games or so.
“But, when he’s played in the European games and against Celtic, he’s done really well.
“He looks a bright prospect.”
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