Everton: Nathan Patterson plays worrying number of minutes ahead of Scotland camp – BBC Sport journalist
Everton defender Nathan Patterson has played a “worrying” lack of minutes ahead of Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifiers games against Cyprus and Spain, according to BBC journalist Tom English.
The Scottish right-back is nearing full fitness after a knee injury took him out of the line-up following their 4-1 home defeat to Brighton on 3 January and has only recently featured for the under-21s.
And journalist English believes the Everton youngster’s lack of minutes for the Toffees this season will be a worry for Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
Writing on BBC Sport [24 March], he said: “Some of Clarke’s players have had a worrying lack of minutes in their legs. Liam Cooper has not played since 5 February; Billy Gilmour has played 80 minutes this year; Tierney has not started a game since 27 January; Ryan Christie since 21 January; Patterson has not featured since 3 January.”
Baffling
Scotland picking Patterson for their upcoming games is rather baffling considering his long injury spell at Goodison Park. English is absolutely right, his lack of minutes at the top level is a huge concern and a big risk if Clarke is looking to rely on him at right full-back for their upcoming games.
It would have been better for Patterson to continue his recovery at his club and also acclimatise himself to Sean Dyche’s setup and system ahead of Everton’s crucial run of games when they return from international break next week.
Patterson being called up for Scotland while still lacking full-match fitness doesn’t help anyone’s cause, especially Everton’s, and Dyche will be hoping Clarke doesn’t risk him against Cyprus or Spain.
He could well prove to be a valuable member of the squad in their nerve-wracking relegation battle. Fingers crossed.