Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson admits his levels of pride for Nathan Patterson are through the roof after he was called up to the Scotland squad.
Patterson is one of two Rangers players in Steve Clarke's 26 man squad for the Euros this summer with Jon McLaughlin also included.
The teenage right back has played just 14 times for Rangers this season but has impressed enough to earn his place, with Wilson insisting he's there on merit.
McLaughlin is likely to be third choice keeper but Wilson reckons he could easily step into the position and show what he's got, as he's continued to do at Rangers.
Patterson wasn't necessarily expected to get the call and Wilson revealed it was an early morning phone call from Steven Gerrard that alerted him to the news.
He told RangersTV: "Absolutely delighted. Jon’s place for us was absolutely clear, he’s a top goalkeeper and will do the national team proud any time Jon is called upon, as he has done with Rangers as well. He’s been fantastic in all of his appearances here.
"We are delighted Nathan has been called up. There’s been a bit of speculation about how Steve Clarke would treat the additional places in the squad and there’s been a few injuries as well.
"We think Nathan is there on merit, there’s no question of that in our mind. Everybody could see just how high potential Nathan is when he’s played for Rangers already.
"We’re delighted for him. We’re proud of him, his family will be overjoyed as well.
"Steven (Gerrard) spoke to him this morning to give him the news, I think he was just out of bed so hopefully it’s sunk in but I know how proud his mum and dad will be.
"I’ll touch base with his dad later on today. I’m delighted for Nathan."
Patterson and McLaughlin will come up against Ibrox team-mate Borna Barisic during the group stage of the tournament with the left back representing Croatia.
Filip Helander and Glen Kamara will also be at the tournament for Sweden and Finland and Wilson is excited to see them all represent Rangers on the big stage.
He said: "We’re all looking forward to the European Championships as football fans but to have Rangers represented so strongly is great.
"We’ve tried to build a really strong squad here and clearly if we’re building a strong squad that can compete for titles for Rangers, can represent us on the European stage then they have to be international players as well by and large.
"We are really pleased with the level of squad we’ve built here and we’re excited to see how they compete at the international stage this summer."
"Those guys are really important players for their international teams. Glen has turned in some outstanding performances for Finland. When the players are away on internationals, the coaches, the scouts and myself will all be watching all the games and we can see whether it’s Borna for Croatia, Fil for Sweden or Glen for Finland, the performances have been really strong and they’re going to play a key part for their national teams this summer.
"We’re excited to watch but I know they’re excited to take part as well."
