EVERTON boss Frank Lampard has conceded it was an unfortunate start to life in Merseyside for Nathan Patterson.
The former Rangers kid sealed a club record transfer fee to make the switch to the Premier League in January.
And he made his first-team debut in the FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood. But he was taken off at half-time as a result of a "practical" decision from Lampard.
Regular right-back Seamus Coleman replaced Patterson but Lampard reckons while it was a difficult experience for the youngster it will be a learning experience.
Speaking to the media he explained: "In my role unfortunately you have to make decisions.
"Sometimes they're not emotional decision, they're practical, and yesterday it was absolutely practical to have to change - and Nathan was the choice.
"I thought he did okay in the game. I was pleased for him to have his debut, we brought him here for a reason. I was relatively, not disappointed but I have to be understanding of what that means.
"What Nathan will feel from myself and the staff is a real engagement and desire to work with him.
"He's a young player, who's a developing player still, and even after that he will feel our support of how we want him to play and how we want him to develop.
"Things like that happen at that stage of your career, whoever you are. As a younger player you have to take something on the chin and understand that this is high-level, and keep working. And that's all he has to do."
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