Scotland defender praised for his pre-World Cup effort by Everton teammate
Scotland defender Nathan Patterson has been hailed as a ‘grafter’ after he shrugged off a difficult last 12 months to make his World Cup debut as a late substitute in the 1-0 win over Haiti last weekend.
Patterson, 24, started just three league games for his club side Everton last year after falling down the pecking order under manager David Moyes, but battled back to be included in the Scotland squad for the World Cup, before making his debut at the tournament as a replacement for Ben Gannon-Doak in the 75th minute of the game in Foxborough on Sunday morning.
While many had questioned the former Rangers academy star’s inclusion due to his lack of minutes, his Everton teammate - and current England number one - Jordan Pickford believes it is a reward for the hard work he has put in behind the scenes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Nathan Patterson made his World Cup debut for Scotland as a late substitute against Haiti last weekend.placeholder image
Nathan Patterson made his World Cup debut for Scotland as a late substitute against Haiti last weekend. | Getty Images
The England goalkeeper, who is heading into his third World Cup with the Three Lions this summer, is set to get his own campaign underway against Croatia on Wednesday night. Expected to start in Dallas, the 32-year-old stopper has been keeping a close eye on the other games while awaiting their own tournament kicking off, and shared his thoughts on Scotland's victory against Haiti.
“I missed the goal,” Pickford told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. “To be honest, I was having my scran. But you could see the emotion, and how much it meant to them to get that result. And Ginny [John McGinn] to score the goal, he’s a great lad. I’m really pleased for Patto [Nathan Patterson] as well from Everton, too. The last few months at Everton, he grafted and he worked hard, even though he didn’t really get his chance. He put the hard work in, he’s made his debut at the World Cup and stuff like that does put a smile on your face.”
Asked if he had text him since the game, the England goalkeeper said: “No, I haven’t text him. I’ll be brutally honest. I haven’t messaged him.” However, it appears the Everton teammates have now spoken after Patterson shared the video on his official Instagram page saying: “Cheers, Jordan” alongside a fist bump emoji.
An £11million signing from Rangers in January 2022, Patterson played just one minute for the Toffees in their final four months of the campaign and looks set to exit the Merseyside club this summer, with potential moves to Villareal, Genoa, Sheffield United and former club Rangers all mooted.
Patterson is club teammates with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at Everton.placeholder image
Patterson is club teammates with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at Everton. | Getty Images
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His time at Everton has been blighted by injury. He has appeared just 67 times for the club since his arrival over four years ago. Forced to miss the European Championships in 2024 due to a ruptured hamstring, he featured prominently for Scotland in the lead up to the World Cup after earning a recall to the side for the March friendly double header against Japan and Ivory Coast, and was named in Clarke’s 26-man squad for the tournament last month.