Everton defender Nathan Patterson has been touted as a potential solution to manager Philippe Clement’s right-back issues at Rangers, with a return to Ibrox on loan mooted, according to the Daily Mail.
However, the Scotland international will not be returning to Rangers temporarily in January.
Patterson joined Everton for £11 million in January 2022 and only recently returned from a long-term injury issue, and there were rumours linking him with a loan return to the Scottish Premiership club ahead of the next transfer window.
Rangers are set to be without on-loan full-back Neraysho Kasanwirjo for months after he picked up an injury while on duty with the Netherlands under-21s, leaving captain James Tavernier and Dujon Sterling as the other options at right-back.
Some still think Sterling should be used in a holding midfield role, and while someone like Patterson would have been the perfect addition in the meantime, a short-term switch to another club in England looks a likelier option for the 23-year-old.
The former Rangers star could go out on loan in search of regular football having been an unused substitute in each of Everton’s last five games.
The Light Blues will have to look elsewhere for quality reinforcement in the position in January, and their scouting department will be working to identify the right candidates.
Patterson has played 48 games since joining the Goodison Park club, and he will not be short of options in the Premier League and the top European leagues if he becomes available in January.
Rangers have been far from impressive this term and could do with a couple of quality signings ahead of the second half of 2024-25 to end the campaign well.
They have found themselves 11 points behind league leaders Celtic after 12 games and nine points behind Aberdeen, and things have to improve significantly on and off the pitch going forward for them to successfully turn their underwhelming campaign around.