Everton news: Nathan Patterson the victim as Rangers transfer turns sour - Hutton
Nathan Patterson must “step up” and show a positive mentality in order to forge a career at Everton under Frank Lampard, according to Alan Hutton.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 21-year-old was capable of performing in a “high-pressure situation” after his time with Rangers.
Patterson was dropped from the matchday squad as relegation-threatened Everton were thumped 5-0 by Tottenham on Monday (7 March).
Just days earlier (3 March), the Scotland international made his maiden Toffees start in the FA Cup fifth-round victory over Boreham Wood, but was substituted at half-time.
As quoted by the Glasgow Times (5 March), Lampard claimed the youngster did “okay” during his debut but criticised the defender’s tenacity – suggesting he allowed the non-league side to “sit back”.
Hutton suggested the right-back has been a victim of Rafa Benitez’s sacking.
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“I feel for him because this situation has not helped at all,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“Lampard has come in after Rafa Benitez was sacked. He’s reverted back to tried and tested players who have been there, done that, and know what it’s all about.
“He got his chance against Boreham Wood but it didn’t go his way. He struggled and was taken off at half-time.
“He’s got to now step up and show everybody what he’s capable of. Because he’s already done it at a big club in Rangers, in a really high-pressure situation.
“It’s really about him and his mentality now. He’s got to show everyone that he can be the best right-back moving forward for Everton.”
Patterson joined Everton in January for a reported fee of £16million.
The Toffees are just one point clear of the relegation zone.
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