Nathan Patterson has admitted that it was flattering to be linked with sides such as Everton in the summer.
But the Rangers full-back, who scored his first international goal for Scotland tonight to put them ahead in their crucial World Cup qualifier at Moldova before setting up the goal that made it 2-0, went on to say that he is only focused on his football for now.
The Blues' pursuit for a potential long-term successor to Seamus Coleman continued throughout the transfer window, with a number of players linked with a potential switch to Goodison Park.
Late in the summer, Everton submitted two bids for Patterson, which were both rejected by Rangers, before the Blues dropped their interest at least for the time-being.
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Subsequently, the right-back addressed the links and claimed he will be blocking them out to keep himself grounded.
The defender admitted: “Yes, that was obviously nice to see that teams are interested but I am only interested in playing football.
“That’s the stuff that comes with it and I am not really aware of anything that happens, I just go on the pitch and do my thing and let the outside talk.
“You need to keep your feet grounded and just focus on your football and that’s what I have been doing.
“In football you have media everywhere now, and you have everyone’s opinions.
“Sometimes you just need to block that out and focus on yourself, surround yourself with the right people and I feel as if I have done that. I have a good group of friends, good team-mates and family also who keep pushing me on to do well.
“I have been working really hard with all the coaches that have been helping me along the way and any time I get the opportunity I need to make sure I am ready to prove myself.
“I feel as if I have done that but I need to keep pushing on and hopefully get more opportunities.”
A version of this article was first published on October 7.
