It was two years ago this month when Rangers fans first got a glimpse of Nathan Patterson in first team action.
The young full back was handed a start by Steven Gerrard in a 2-0 win over Stranraer in a comfortable Scottish Cup win on a chilly Friday might.
Patterson’s performance was one of the few things to warm up the Gers fans that night in an otherwise drab game.
“I was really pleased with Nathan Patterson,” said Gerrard afterwards. “I thought he was very positive, he done everything we’ve asked of him and everything we’ve been working on.”
And from that moment Patterson emerged as the outstanding candidate to push captain James Tavernier in the right back slot.
But therein lay the problem for the aspiring youngster - the skipper was standing in his way of regular first team football.
Two years on from that full debut, coming shortly after Patterson had appeared in a friendly against Lokomotiv Tashkent in Dubai, and the 20-year-old is heading for the Ibrox exit rather than the Rangers starting XI.
Starved of the regular first team football he needs due to the importance of Tavernier coupled with an offer from Everton that is too good to turn down for a back-up will likely see him earn a dream English Premier League move.
The fact he can’t cement a starting spot in the Light Blues line-up but will solve a problem position for Rafa Benitez’s men and probably play every week in one of the greatest league’s in the world seems odd.
But it underlines how valued Tavernier is by both Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his predecessor Gerrard.
There aren’t many losers if the deal goes through. Rangers bank significant cash without weakening their starting XI and kick off their player trading model while Patterson improves his own financial situation and gets the football he wants.
How, though, do Rangers fill the void of a player who has still made a big contribution when called upon? The tricky part is recruiting a player who will be happy to play back up.
Matt Polster moved to Ibrox from Chicago Fire in December 2018 but eventually left after just seven appearances as he couldn’t dislodge Tavernier.
Ironically, another American has been linked with a potential move across the Big Pond with James Sands reportedly on the radar.
At 21, the New York City youngster ticks plenty of boxes and his versatility, Sands can also play in midfield, is a bonus a Calvin Bassey has shown with the left back filling in at centre back.
But in promoting Patterson in the first place Rangers put their faith in their Academy and could look to do the same again to save parting with any of the Patterson cash.
If they go down that road - and it’s worth remembering Leon Balogun is also an option - then Adam Devine is next in line with the highly-rated teenager having been seen as Patterson’s successor by those within the club.
When Devine was one of a trio of rising stars to sign new deals back in September 2020 until May 2022 - since extended until 2023 - Patterson was held up as their inspiration.
Head of Academy Craig Mulholland said: “The opportunity that has been created by the manager and Ross Wilson for Nathan Patterson to progress to the first-team also demonstrates, for those who are good enough and show that burning desire, that our player planning will create the chances they crave.”
Devine joined Partick Thistle last March in a deal that was supposed to last until the end of the season - only for it to be cut short just weeks later.
Jags boss Ian McCall explained that a return to fitness of regular right back Ryan Williamson earlier than expected was behind that move.
Devine then headed to Brechin City on loan where he made eleven appearances for the Angus side.
Then Glebe Park Park boss Michael Paton admitted at the time of his signing: "Rangers feel he is on the same path as Nathan Paterson and have high hopes for him.”
We could be about to find out just how much trust they have in Devine and if he is in line for promotion.
