Nathan Patterson has been urged to grab his opportunity of a run in the Scotland team with both hands.
Aaron Hickey is absent from Steve Clarke's men's A team squad for the upcoming double-header against Georgia and Norway to round off Euro 2024 qualifying.
The versatile Brentford full-back has made the position his own after Patterson initially seemed to have the jersey following Stephen O'Donnell's spell in the starting XI.
Former Rangers and Scotland defender Alan Hutton reckons now is the time for Patterson to remind everyone of his capabilities.
He told OLBG: “This is a real opportunity for Patterson. I thought the position was obviously up for grabs and I thought Patterson would have really taken hold of it and he could have been in charge of it for years to come. He's obviously got the technical ability.
“Unfortunately, through injury and a little bit of loss of form, he found it difficult when he first went down to Everton, so that's probably what's kind of hampered him a little bit getting back in the team.
“Aaron Hickey has really blossomed into the player that we see today, has played to high standards and he's deserved his run in the team. So it's been difficult for Patterson to get back in, but I think this is a real opportunity for him to go and grasp the position with two hands.
“I think they're both quite similar. Hickey can play with both feet, so he can come inside. I think that's what possibly gives him an advantage in certain aspects of the game. But overall, I think they're two guys that defend very well. They like to get forward, they like to create opportunities and get in the box. So as modern-day wingbacks, they both tick all the boxes, which isn’t a bad problem to have.”
