Nathan Patterson RYDC Q&A Highlights

The 18-year-old right back is now permanently part of Steven Gerrard’s first-squad and featured yet again in the 5-0 win over Lincoln Red Imps in the Europa League.

Nathan made his Rangers debut earlier this year against Stranraer in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox and he hasn’t looked back since.

His years in the Rangers Academy has helped prepare him perfectly for the first-team environment he is now thriving in the first-team environment.

Since 2002, profit from Rangers Youth Development Company products has gone to the Rangers Academy with well over £8.5 million donated in that time.

Players like Nathan truly benefit from RYDC support, for full details om all their products visit www.rydc.co.uk.

Check out the highlights of Nathan’s Q&A…

Q – Elsie McCready - Hi Nathan. It's great to see you in the first team. If there's one thing you would like from this season what is it and why. Good luck for the rest of the season. Bring it home.

A – I want to play in as many games as I possibly can. I want to get more experience and be involved in first-team games so it improves me as a player. It has been great to far. I have enjoyed every minute of it and I am looking forward to the rest of the season.

Personally, I want to play in as many games as I can and for the team we want to be successful this season and hopefully go on and win trophies.

Q – Dennis McCord - Who was your footballing hero growing up?

A – When I was younger it was Daniel Alves for his style of play and personality. I like players who can attack as well as defend. Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson at Liverpool too. They are both exciting to watch.

Q – Tom - Hi Nathan. Any significance in your squad number 16? What extra responsibilities do you feel you now have as a regular member of the first team group? 

A – The gaffer asked me what squad number I would like from the list of squad numbers available so I picked 16 as I was born on the 16th of October.

There is a responsibility to be fit and available for selection and to train and pay to the best of my abilities every day. Sometimes you might have an off day but you need to come back in the next and be on top form. You always have the responsibility to play well at Rangers.

Q – Graeme McGraw - Hi Nathan, do you think you and Tav could work down the right flank together? If so what do you feel the best combo would be, yourself or Tav at RB or RW? 

A – You never know, in the game the other day we were both on the pitch at the same time. I just need to work hard and show I am ready to play and any opportunity you get you need to take it. I’d be more comfortable at right back. It’s a more natural position for me, to see the game in front of me. 

Q - If available will you play in any the UEFA Youth games this season if we get to the later stages? All the best for the season. 

A – I think I will be available to play yes. It was great last season playing against top teams in a tournament format and if that opportunity comes again I would be happy to play. 

Q – Dougal - Hi Nathan, who do you see as the next player to break through from the Academy? 

A – There are a few good young ones who are playing well in the academy and the B Team. It’s hard to pick one but a few of the boys have been training with the first-team so hopefully they can break through. 

Q – G Neill - Which right back (past or present and from any club) has influenced you the most and why? 

A – Recently it would be Trent Alexander-Arnold. He is a fantastic young player who has come through the Liverpool academy. He has shown he can do it at the highest level at such a young age and has put the hard work in to achieve what he has so far. He has achieved a lot at such a young age – winning the league and Champions League. 

Q – Jamie - Hello Nathan, how did it feel to make your Rangers debut? 

A – It was great. Walking out to play in front of a packed Ibrox was a childhood dream. I have been a Rangers fan since I was a wee boy and it was just a great experience. It was great for my family too and I really enjoyed it. 

I found out a few days before I was in the squad then I found out I was starting. I was delighted and buzzing for the game to start. I just wanted to show the fans what I was capable of and I felt I did that. I really enjoyed the experience and to play well made it even better. 

Q - How have you found stepping up from a cup tie v a lower league team to Europa League games as well as domestic league games? 

A – Each game is different and you need to prepare for every level of opponent but you always need to go into every game with the right mindset no-matter who you are playing. You have to go and win and try your best. That’s the way we have been taught and brought up. 

Q - Who were Rangers heroes growing up? Good luck for the season! 

A – Barry Ferguson, Sasa Papac and from the past, legends like Sandy Jardine. I look up to all these players who have won trophies and been successful with the club. I want to follow in their footsteps. 

Q – ObanLad - what parts of your game do you want to improve on and who in the youth squad in your opinion will join you in the senior squad next season , no sitting on the fence mate? 

A – There are always parts of your game any player needs to work on and I want to learn and improve every day. I’m trying to build up my physique and working hard in the gym every day. 

I am training hard and working hard on defending and also my attacking just to improve my overall game and become a better player. 

Coming in every day, being around top players and working with the gaffer will help me get better. This season I feel as if I have really kicked on and I am really enjoying it. 

I’m ready to take any opportunity that comes my way. I train my best every day so I can give myself the best chance to play. 

As I said before, there are a few good young players who are playing well in the academy and the B Team. It’s hard to pick one but a few of the boys have been training with the first-team so hopefully they can break through. 

Q – Ritchie Lawson - Ahead of you currently in the right back position is James Tavernier do you believe you have to ability to one day match his goals and assists record and do you lean on him for advice when it comes to this? 

A – Tav is the captain and doing really well so I know I need to wait and be ready for any opportunity that comes along. Hopefully at some point in the future I will be able to make the right back position mine. Every day in training I can watch and learn from what he does. The way he trains and how he acts around everyone is great to see and I want to emulate him and adapt what he does into my game. He can definitely help make me a better player. 

Q – Craig McMorrin - How did you find the Coerver sessions? Did you find these have helped your development? 

A – Yes. Anything like that is beneficial for any young player and you take any experience you can to make yourself better. 

Q – CF3Loyal - What do you feel are the biggest parts of your game that you need to develop? 

A – I want to improve my overall game. You always have to learn as a player, no-matter your age. I am working on my physique and working hard on my game and I want to give myself the best opportunity to play better when I’m on the pitch. As you get older you get more experience but you still learn every day. You still need to come in and work hard every day to get a Rangers jersey. 

Q – Tracy – Who would you pick for your 5 a side team and how much has life at the Rangers Academy prepared you for being a first-team player? 

A – Good question. I should probably put myself in!

But I would say Greegsy in goal, Connor Goldson or Tav at the back, then Steven Davis, Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo. 

All the coaches at the Rangers Academy have been great with me. They have helped me through tough times and some great times. Every coach I have worked with has helped prepare me for being in the position I am now and they all look after the young players at the club. I’m very grateful for everything they have done to help get me where I am now. I will keep working as hard as I can every day and be ready to take any opportunity to play for the first-team. 

Q – Kimmie – Nathan what is it like training with the Rangers first team and getting first team experience - do you enjoy it? 

A – I love being with the first team, it’s something I have worked towards all my life and now that I am here I want to kick on. 

Q – 54LeagueTitles - What would you say has been your biggest lesson since training and playing with the first team? 

A – To always keep your head down and work harder no matter how well you are doing.