The right-back has struggled for regular game time at the Premier League side this term
22:30, 25 Mar 2026
Nathan Patterson - in action for Everton - is set for a Scotland recall
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Nathan Patterson(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
When Nathan Patterson first broke into the Scotland team it felt like his career trajectory was only going one way. Upwards.
A young, fearless, marauding right-back with pace and energy to burn. After bursting on to the scene at Rangers, he made Steve Clarke’s squad for Euro 2020 before earning a stunning £11million move to Premier League side Everton.
The hype around Patterson was real. And at that point, he must have felt unstoppable. But he’s learned the hard way that in football it’s never that simple.
Incredibly, it’s two years ago today since Patterson made his last start for Scotland, in a Hampden friendly against Northern Ireland. In April 2024, he ruptured his hamstring in a 6-0 defeat to Chelsea which ended his hopes of making the Euro Finals that summer in Germany.
The 24-year-old has managed only 10 appearances for Everton throughout 2025. And this term, he's had just 239 minutes of Premier League action for Davie Moyes' side.
So Patterson has a fight on his hands, for club and country. The good news for Clarke is that he appears fit and ready to make up for lost time.
Patterson is back in the national team set-up for friendlies against Japan at Hampden and Ivory Coast at his home ground, the Hill Dickinson Stadium. And irrespective of what he’s doing at Everton, Patterson is hell-bent on ensuring he’s on the plane for the World Cup in America this summer.
His patience has been tested in the last couple of years and he admits he's endured more lows than highs. But he believes the trials and tribulations he’s gone through will only make him stronger.
Patterson said: “I’ve matured a bit now, I’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs. Quite a lot of downs, to be honest, in terms of injuries.
“But it’s only going to benefit me for my future ahead. What have I learned about myself? That I’ve got a lot of patience and that I’m quite strong minded.
“I always believe in myself as well. You need to have that when you’re at a high level. You need to have that confidence.
“Any time you go on the pitch, you need to be ready to show what you can do.
“You need to be patient for an opportunity and when it comes, you have to take it.
“That’s the same in every industry but more so in football.
“I’m just looking to try and get some games now.
“You just have to get on with it and make sure that when you come back, you’re ready.
“You know that you’ll come back in a better place than you were before.
“I feel really good now, I’m just looking forward to getting on the pitch.”
Scotland produced one of the greatest nights Hampden has ever seen back in November with a dramatic win over Denmark to book a World Cup berth for the first time in 28 years.
But Patterson could only sit at home and watch, wishing he was part of it.
After missing out on Euro 2024, it was another body blow to the young defender.
But he’s adamant that it has only made him more determined to make sure he’s in the States this summer when Clarke’s side will face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.
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Scotland players after defeat to Northern Ireland(Image: SNS Group)
He said: “Obviously it was disappointing to miss the Euros.
“I would have loved to have been there and be involved.
“It was gutting to hear that I wouldn’t be a part of it but it’s done now.
“My main aim now is to make sure I'm in the squad for the World Cup.
“Whatever gets me there, I will do it.
“It’s good to be back because it’s been a while.
“I’ve had a few injuries but I’ve got myself sorted now so it’s great to be in amongst the lads again.
“I feel really good. I've come back in and played a few games for Everton and I feel really fit.
“I don't feel as if I'm at a stage where I'm doubting my body at the minute, so I'm happy with where I am right now.
“It was disappointing not to be there for the Denmark game.
“But I was so proud of the boys.
"It was a massive fixture for the nation and to see us qualify for the World Cup was great.
“It’s massive for me now. The disappointment of missing out on a Euros squad through injury was hard to take.
“But we've got another huge tournament in the summer and I want to make sure I’m there.
“Do I feel I have a point to prove? Not really, no. I have a good relationship with the manager.
“I know what I’m capable of and what I can bring to the team.”
At the top of his game, Patterson is a Premier League player with assets Scotland simply can’t do without.
But there’s an argument to say that if he’s not getting enough game time at Everton his future might lie elsewhere.
He says that’s a conversation for another day with his gaffer Moyes on Merseyside.
For now, he’s concentrating on nailing down the right-back slot again for Scotland - and says he can achieve that even if he’s not first-pick for his club.
Patterson said: “I’m just looking forward to an opportunity coming here.
“I know I’m fully fit and ready to play. Hopefully I can get some minutes.
“Yeah, 100 percent (can play for Scotland without playing at Everton).
"Obviously you want to play as much as you can but it's not really up to me, I can only do what I can on the pitch.
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“That’s a discussion for myself and the manager to have (on his future).
“But my focus is just on Scotland right now.”