Nathan Patterson hoping for increased prominence heading into the World Cup
Nathan Patterson hoping for increased prominence heading into the World Cup Nathan Patterson is hoping to earn more minutes in the final stretches of the campaign with Everton heading into the World Cup with Scotland this summer. Patterson has played only 239 minutes of Premier League football this season despite the Toffees’ issues at right-back. A hernia issue kept Patterson out of contention between October and November and he was rewarded with minutes with Everton missing several players during the festive period.
The Scottish international impressed in the wins over Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa both away from home while also featuring against Leeds United and Sunderland. However, he has been left on the bench ever since with David Moyes favouring both centre-back Jake O’Brien and midfielder James Garner ahead of Patterson at right-back. He played in both of Scotland’s friendlies recently and despite the lack of minutes at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Patterson believes he’s assured of a place in Scotland’s World Cup squad.
“We just kind of speak and he [international manager, Steve Clarke] says I need to try and get as many games as I can and all that. But I can only do what I can do, train well, and when I get the opportunities, do well. And I’ve done that this season,” he told The Daily Record.
“I can only focus on myself. I can’t worry just now. I’ve got to go back to club level and hopefully I can play as many games as I possibly can.
Of course, it’s nice to get back on the pitch again, get some minutes under my belt, and I felt really good. ” Patterson played 28 minutes in his side’s 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Speaking about making an appearance in front of familiar faces, Patterson added, “It was a nice experience.