THE challenge of emerging through the Rangers ranks and earning a first team berth is difficult for even the most talented of kids.
But Nathan Patterson faces one of the most tricky routes to the top as he looks to overtake Ibrox captain James Tavernier.
The right-back has grown his burgeoning reputation once again this term as he makes a name for himself with the Light Blues’ Under-20s.
And he is determined to continue moving in the right direction and taking inspiration from the man that occupies the jersey he wants in the long run.
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Patterson said: “It is a good challenge having the captain playing in your position. I want to play for this club, so I will be trying my best to put in good performances.
“If I can do that then hopefully a chance might come for me. You don’t want to cruise through in football, you want to be tested every single day as that makes you better.
“I have spoken to Tav a few times but sometimes you have to dig deep and do your own thing. My style of football is similar to him in terms of being an attacking full-back.
“I have been involved with the first team a few times which has been good. I want to evolve my game around what the first team need.
“Training with the first team is a lot more intense and the standard is a lot higher as you would expect. But it is good to give yourself that challenge against top players every day and I am loving it.”
Rangers fans have a chance to see Patterson and his fellow first team hopefuls in action on Saturday as Graeme Murty’s side face Wrexham in the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Cup.
The Colts have enjoyed a positive start to the campaign and Patterson is eager to make the most of his Ibrox outing.
He said: “It is obviously a bonus for us as it is the stadium we want to play at sooner rather than later. Playing at Ibrox, in front of a crowd is what we want to do at our age. It gives us a taste of the end goal for us.
“We have done well but we know we have a strong squad. We have struggled in a few games but we have dug deep to get the results we needed. We have come a long way in this tournament and we want that to continue. We play in the youth Champions League and then we go up against men, it is totally different.
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“We have coped with that challenge really well. It is a learning curve for us. These guys have played in big games in their career and are used to it. But we have managed to get the better of them which has been really pleasing.”
The Gers kids have beaten Berwick, Stranraer, Ballymena and Solihull in the Challenge Cup this term and now have a semi-final spot in their sights.
And Patterson reckons the experience has stood Murty’s side in good stead as they bid for victory against their National League visitors.
He said: “We aren’t the biggest physically compared to some of these teams but we have managed to deal with that challenge. We have played out own game and stuck to our plan and it has paid off.
“We were 3-1 down at Solihull at one point but we couldn’t let our heads go down.
“We always felt they would tire around the 70 minute mark and we could take advantage of that. We knew they had nothing left and we kept pushing and we managed to go through on penalties.
“The Reserve League was good but you want to be facing the toughest opposition that you can. That is what improves you as a player. The European games have been good for us.
“They have been tough but we have managed to do pretty well. We have a strong squad and we have a belief and confidence that we can go far in this tournament. We believe we can get results against anyone.”
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The Rangers Colts are in Challenge Cup quarter final action at Ibrox against Wrexham this weekend – tickets are on sale now at rangers.co.uk and the Rangers Ticket Centre priced £10 for adults and £5 for kids.
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