Giovanni van Bronckhorst has claimed Nathan Patterson was a 'back up player' at Rangers and doesn't believe his side are weakened by the full-back’s move to Everton.
Everton confirmed last week that Patterson had signed a five-and-a-half-year-deal to become the club’s second signing of the January transfer window.
Rafa Benitez hinted at the start of December that adding a right-back to his squad in January would be Everton's priority.
The Scotland international was the subject of two failed bids from Everton in the summer as they sought to bring in competition for Seamus Coleman.
READ MORE: Jose Baxter explains Ellis Simms decision and hints at Everton loans
MICHAEL BALL: What Lucas Digne has done speaks volumes and Everton could pay the price
Patterson was an unused substitute for Everton in their FA Cup win over Hull City on Saturday evening, and made 11 appearances in all competitions for the Gers this season before moving to Goodison Park.
“I don’t care what other clubs do. This was a win-win situation. Patterson was a 'back up player', basically we don’t get any weaker,” Van Bronckhorst told Dutch publication De Telegraaf.
“He was sold for a record amount and that fits the long-term vision of the club. They want to make some transfers every year, which will allow them to generate money.
“The club now receives a financial injection and the player goes to the Premier League.”
While in a separate interview with Rangers TV, Van Bronckhorst believes Patterson’s move to Everton was a deal that suited all parties.
He said: "That is what we want. We want the pathway for talents, once they are from the academy, to take a step to the first team. I think that is very important for the club.
"It is really good for Leon [King] to come to the first team now. He has been around for a couple of years but now he is with us with the first team.
"The young players also look to Nathan because it was not long that he was in the first team. Still, his talent is recognised by a big club in England and that is why he is playing for Everton now. I think that pathway for the youth players is there for them to take.
"I think it is important. With my former clubs, I liked to get the talents involved in first team training so every time we have a chance to bring some talents to the first team for training I will.
"It gives me a good view of the talents that we have at the moment and, for them of course an opportunity to train at a higher level.
"You always recognise the talents so I am very happy and pleased with the talents coming into the first team training once in a while."
