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Nathan Patterson may be open to leaving Rangers and joining Everton as he struggles to dislodge James Tavernier. 

That’s according to BBC Radio pundit Noel Whelan, who was speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

Patterson has been limited to just two starts in Rangers’ first 20 Premiership matches this season, with Tavernier selected for the other 18. Indeed, more than a quarter of his total game-time so far in 2021/22 has come in the Scottish League Cup.

The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell has written that ‘figuring out how to use Nathan Patterson’ is one of the key challenges facing Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Ibrox. The youngster has started just two of the Dutchman’s nine matches in charge so far.

Everton made two attempts to sign the 20-year-old last summer and are expected to renew their pursuit when the January transfer window opens next week (via The Guardian).

The latest

Whelan reckons that Patterson could succeed 33-year-old Seamus Coleman at Goodison Park or even slot in at left-back after Lucas Digne reportedly fell out with Rafael Benitez.

The former Aberdeen striker added that, while the youngster has looked a ‘top talent’, the presence of Tavernier limits his prospects at Rangers.

Whelan told Football Insider: “Obviously we know that Seamus Coleman isn’t getting any younger in that right-back spot. There’s also an opportunity for him on the left with the Lucas Digne situation, he could fill in there.

“He’s played there for Rangers recently. Even though he’s a top talent, it’s bound to be hard to get in the side ahead of the skipper, James Tavernier.

“We’ve seen him really impress for Scotland as well and he’s shown he can be a brilliant attacking talent as well on international duty. From what I know, he’s got a lot of potential.”

The verdict

You can see why Van Bronckhorst may be reluctant to leave Tavernier on the bench or alter his position. The skipper has recorded more goal involvements (14) than anybody else in the Gers squad from his right-back berth.

Indeed, if you go by WhoScored metrics, he has been Rangers’ highest-performing player this season, averaging a rating of 7.79/10.

Intriguingly, Van Bronckhorst managed to fit both players into the team against Dundee United recently by selecting Patterson on the left. Perhaps he’ll need to do that more often in the interests of the youngster’s development and indeed his transfer value.

In other news, many Rangers fans gushed over this Allan McGregor claim

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard must do all he can to try to entice his “very good” friend to Ibrox after one pundit’s recent transfer claim.

What’s the talk?

Former Premier League midfielder Dean Windass has urged Steven Gerrard to do everything he can to seal a deal for his “very good” friend Luis Suarez this summer. Windass believes that Suarez is an achievable target and has said that Rangers fans would be delighted with the deal.

The ex-Hull man has claimed that being in the Champions League could be enough to entice Suarez into making the switch. He told This is Futbol:

“Could Steven Gerrard entice Luis Suarez to go to Glasgow Rangers? I can see it. Who wouldn’t want to sign for Glasgow Rangers to be quite honest with you?

“That could entice him [being in the Champions League]. Steven is very good friends with him and quoted him as one of the best strikers that he’s played with.

“Rangers fans would be delighted if that happened. He would get you goals, and the affinity he’s got with Steven, I’m sure he’ll be asking the question.”

Gerrard must try

If there is even a 1% chance of Rangers being able to sign Suarez from Atletico Madrid this summer, Gerrard must try to get a deal done. Suarez proved that he is still a world-class striker by leading Atletico to the La Liga title with 21 goals in 32 games in the 2020/21 campaign. The Uruguayan forward joined Atletico last summer after leaving Barcelona with a wonderful record; scoring 195 and assisting 113 in 283 competitive games for the Spanish giants, proving himself to be one of the best forwards in the world over the past decade.

This highlights the standard of player Windass is urging Gerrard to bring in. With a record like that, Suarez could rip up the Scottish Premiership and give Rangers a brilliant chance of securing back-to-back titles to keep Celtic at bay next term. However, as previously mentioned, there may only be a 1% chance of this deal being possible. Windass mentions Champions League football as a way of enticing Suarez, but he already has that at Atletico whilst playing in a major European league.

Gerrard being, as Windass puts it, “very good friends” with Suarez might not be enough to convince him to join Rangers if he still has ambitions of playing at the very top level. Atletico could be competing to win the Champions League next season and that is not a realistic ambition for Rangers at this moment in time, which means that Suarez may not be interested in joining the club this summer.

You never know, though, in football, Gerrard may as well pose the question and see what happens…

AND in other news, Bye-bye Kamara: Rangers must seal swoop for £3.15m-rated ace, Gerrard would love him…

Former Glasgow Rangers manager Alex McLeish is worried about Filip Helander ahead of the Gers’ Old Firm clash on Sunday.

McLeish worried by Helander

The Gers face Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon in the Scottish Cup fourth round as they continue their quest for a domestic double.

Speaking to Ibrox News, McLeish has revealed he has concerns about the Sweden international as he said:

“They will certainly analyse things that they have seen since then.

“Again, on the flip side, guys like Helander are good professionals and will be analysing their own game and seeing where they should be better.

“Let’s face it, it was great play from Celtic, but these are the games where you can be rusty and don’t close down quick enough, and you have to be switched on.”

Calm

It is surprising to hear McLeish say he is worried about the 27-year-old. The fact of the matter is, Helander has been a rock for Steven Gerrard’s side ever since he made the move to Ibrox.

Since his switch to Glasgow in 2019, the Gers are yet to lose a Premiership game with him in the line-up (Transfermarkt), and his performances have even attracted interest from Leicester City and Aston Villa – his reported price tag is £6m (Football Insider).

Helander didn’t have his best game in the last Old Firm clash, and he has been accused of lacking pace, but he is a player on whom Gerrard and the rest of the squad can rely. If he is selected as part of the starting XI this weekend, that should not be a cause for concern for anyone associated with Rangers.

In other news, Kieran Maguire shares this worrying Rangers finance update.

John Beaton has been confirmed as the referee for Sunday’s crucial Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead.

The Lowdown: Massive game at Parkhead

Ange Postecoglou’s side kept up their six-point lead over their rivals on Sunday afternoon, picking up a precious 2-0 victory away to Ross County.

Next up for the Hoops is this weekend’s critical Old Firm derby meeting at Parkhead, with a win for the hosts all but securing title glory after missing out last year.

It is a game that can sometimes be defined by the refereeing performance – Bobby Madden’s display drew plenty of conversation in the cup semi-final – and the man in the middle has now been confirmed for Sunday’s meeting.

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The Latest: Beaton takes charge

It is Beaton who will take charge of proceedings at Parkhead, reports The Scotsman, and based on his own judgement, Hoops fans may not be particularly pleased to see him with the whistle.

Back in 2020, Beaton himself admitted that Celtic supporters would ‘absolutely love’ to get rid of Scottish referees for this fixture, claiming ‘everybody’ except the officials themselves want them replaced.

The Verdict: Unpopular choice

The appointment of Beaton will not go down well with Postecoglou and his players, or the fans for that matter – he has even hinted at preferring refereeing behind closed doors, saying in those comments back in 2020 life was easier without the intensity from the fans.

That said, Celtic need to focus on the task at hand and ignore any controversy – if the Hoops allow the referee to get to them, the only people it is going to affect is themselves, on what is a potentially defining afternoon in the title race.

Essentially, all the pressure is on Rangers, who really have to win the match – the only hope is that Beaton doesn’t end up having a negative say on matters.

In other news, an ex-Celtic hero has taken a dig at Rangers ahead of Sunday’s game. Read more here.

Reports by Gol Digital earlier this week claimed that Sevilla are holding out for Joan Jordan’s full release clause, but David Moyes should urge West Ham United to break the bank to sign a second Tomas Soucek-type this summer.

Jordan is one of the key pillars of Julen Lopetegui’s side in La Liga, with his ability to connect the midfield and offence unparalleled at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

But his efforts have sparked European-wide interest ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Irons one of five clubs understood to be presenting serious curiosity.

Serie A title-hopefuls AC Milan are said to be Jordan’s best option should he leave Andalusia at the end of the season, as the Rossoneri are likely to remain keen despite seeing a €30m (£25.5m) approach snubbed as they strive to build a squad ready for the Champions League.

Sevilla would be expected to reject a similar approach in the future, with the side who were eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16 earlier this month now intent on demanding that Jordan’s full €60m (£51.5m) release clause is triggered.

A sum in that region is expected to force only the top clubs to show a formal interest in the next transfer window, yet Inter Milan, AS Roma and the Irons are all listed as potential destinations for the 26-year-old.

Jordan has been a mainstay of Lopetegui’s plans so far this season, starting 20 of his 25 La Liga outings and featuring in a total 40 games across all competitions.

The RCD Espanyol product has offered Sevilla two goals and seven assists over his appearances to date, to register his highest single-season return of goals created in his career and help to take his goal contribution for the club to 14 in the past two seasons combined.

West Ham triggering Jordan’s release clause would see the midfielder become the London Stadium natives’ new record signing, eclipsing the £45m paid to Eintracht Frankfurt for Sebastien Haller in 2019.

But Moyes should urge David Sullivan, Karren Brady and David Gold to fund a lavish outlay to bring Jordan to West Ham, as the Sevilla star would offer him a second Soucek-type after the Czech Republic international’s successful adaptation to the Premier League.

Jordan is recognised for his ability to make late and dangerous runs in the opponent’s box to offer a forward threat, much more akin to the traditional English style of a box-to-box option that the tiki-taka template that has flourished in Spain, after growing up watching and learning from the way Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard operated.

“I remember watching quite a lot of Lampard when I was growing up, he was a top, top, top player,” Jordan told The Athletic in December. “What really sticks is how the way he arrived late into the box, that was spectacular. It is something very difficult, that he made look easy.

“I remember Steven Gerrard, too, talking about the Premier League. He and Lampard were standout players, especially when they got forward, arriving from the second line. I always looked at all the little details I could, from many different players, to become a more complete player myself.”

“I like to have plenty of space and freedom, to help in attack but I always like to defend and help my teammates,” he added. “Football is evolving, and everyone has to run, everyone has to sacrifice themselves and adapt to different functions that a coach asks for.”

Making those intelligent runs into the area and offering a box-to-box presence is just what Moyes gets from Soucek, who is West Ham’s top-scorer in the Premier League this season with eight goals.

The 26-year-old is also lauded by Jamie Carragher for being the best at what he does, as “there’s nobody better in the Premier League right now than Soucek”, but he could face competition for that honour with Jordan also in the squad.

AND in other news, West Ham in four-way Premier League battle for 13-goal striker who is “annoying to the defender”…

Transfer columns were filled with Leeds UNnited links to Rodrigo De Paul last summer after the Argentine reportedly agreed personal terms, and despite no deal happening former midfielder David Norris believes the player is still interested in moving to Elland Road.

De Paul enjoyed yet another stand out season with Udinese and it has not gone unnoticed as Liverpool are now interested in bringing the midfielder to the Premier League.

However, the possibility of working with fellow countryman Marcelo Bielsa will stand Leeds in a good place to materialise a move for their much sought-after transfer target, and De Paul could be the missing piece to the jigsaw that Bielsa needs to push Leeds into Europe next season.

Already, De Paul has been linked with a move to Elland Road this summer and that suggests both parties are still very much interested in each other, something Norris confirmed exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I think Leeds are still interested and he’s still interested in Leeds and it’s been ongoing for a long time now and I don’t think anything has changed so I think there’s definitely something there.

“I don’t know if there’s an overvaluation in the player that is holding it up and it might be that if Leeds want him then they’re going to have to suck it up and pay Udinese want.”

Leeds won’t be afraid to splash the cash this summer considering they spent £95 million last summer, and now that they appear comfortable in the Premier League after just one season, Bielsa may have an even larger transfer budget this time around.

De Paul would bring something Leeds don’t have – and that’s creativity in the middle of the pitch. Kalvin Phillips does a great job of transitioning the play from defence to attack, but then it seems to always go predictably out wide, with De Paul able to offer them another dimension and way of playing.

Adama Traore can often look like one of Barcelona’s biggest mistakes but, other times, he looks like Wolves have found nothing more than an average player.

However, Wolves legend Steve Bull believes that he can be a world-beater on his day.

Traore’s best season in the Premier League was during the 2019/20 campaign, returning four goals and nine assists as Wolves finished 7th in the top flight. Those numbers saw him linked with a huge money move to Liverpool last summer.

But outside of that season, he has managed just three goals and five assists across four separate Premier League seasons, which highlights how frustrating a player Traore can be to watch, as he can turn a match on its head or could easily cost you multiple great opportunities.

There is no doubting that Traore has great talent and ability when he gets going at Molineux and despite those days being few and far between now, Bull still labels him as a world-beater and he made the bold statement exclusively to Football FanCast:

“He’s a talented player but he is also a frustrating player to watch because when he turns it on, he is a world-beater. He’s a world-beater more than the times he spends on the floor.” 

Traore has been linked with a move away from Molineux as the Wolves hierarchy find ways to raise funds for new manager Bruno Lage. Should he stay, though, you would expect Lage to utilise his talents.

Wolves boast an illustrious rank of wingers at the club with Traore, Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence and Morgan Gibbs-White, who can also play on one of the flanks.

Liverpool are closing in on a move for RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.

Jurgen Klopp is likely to be eyeing up a new defender this summer, having experienced all sort of problems in that area throughout the season.

Liverpool are without injured trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for the remainder of the season, with Nathaniel Phillips forced to become a regular and Ozan Kabak joining on loan from Schalke.

Konate is a player with whom the Reds have been linked numerous times in the past and it now looks as though he will be heading to Anfield in the summer.

Liverpool look set to sign Konate

According to Ornstein, significant progress has been made with regards to a deal for the 21-year-old , with talks now at an advanced stage.

Konate has been limited to just four Bundesliga starts this season, due to injuries of his own, but he is considered a player of big potential. His former coach Ralf Rangnick has said of the Frenchman: “He’s so good that he could play for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day.”

Transfer Tavern take

It is apparent that Klopp sees the importance of bringing in a centre-back this summer, with Matip particularly unreliable when it comes to staying fit consistently.

Konate is a player who could not only come in and do a job straight away, boasting ample Bundesliga and Champions League experience, but could also represent the long-term future at Anfield.

In other news, one Liverpool star has been tipped to stay put this summer – find out who it is here.

According to a report by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City are both in a race for Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi as the Premier League duo display managerial interest.

The Lowdown: Inzaghi emerges as Spurs candidate

As yet another coach becomes touted with the Tottenham vacancy, Inzaghi has only entered the fray as an option very recently.

Indeed, whispers surrounding the 45-year-old have emerged this week with odds touting him as a new favourite to replace the departed Jose Mourinho (football.london).

He joins the long list of Italians linked to Spurs alongside Maurizio Sarri, Gian Piero Gasperini, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri (via TEAMtalk)

The Latest: Spurs and Leicester in race for Inzaghi

Now, bringing the latest, Tuttosport claim that Inzaghi is of interest to both Tottenham and Leicester as the two clubs enter a race for his possible appointment.

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Indeed, Lazio’s boss is said to be attracting the Premier League duo whilst he reflects on his future in the Italian capital – with the former Italy international still yet to make a firm decision.

It is believed by Tuttosport that Inzaghi will sit down with club president Claudio Lotito and discuss it at the end of the season.

The Verdict: The best outside candidate yet?

Inzaghi has garnered absolutely no shortage of praise since taking over at Lazio from Marcelo Bielsa back in 2016.

Being likened to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp by striker Ciro Immobile, who called Inzaghi ‘very similar’ due their motivational skills (Football Italia), he’s also been called ‘one of the best coaches in Europe’ by FIFA agent Claudio Anellucci (TUTTOmercatoWEB).

A fan favourite at Lazio, he has also clinched silverware with the club – winning one Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italianas over nearly half a decade in charge.

Arguably falling into the category of a young and dynamic coach allegedly wanted by technical performance director Steve Hitchen (The Daily Mail), he could a great option for Tottenham.

In other news: Levy in pole position to sign this powerhouse, find out more here.

Evening Standard journalist Jack Rosser has told The Transfer Tavern that Jesse Lingard is adamant that he wants to remain at Manchester United – making a late move to West ham extremely unlikely.

Following his outstanding loan spell in the second half of last season, David Moyes has been desperate to bring Lingard back to the London Stadium on a permanent basis this summer.

However, Lingard, who made his first Premier League appearance for United for 12 months against Southampton last weekend, wants to fight for his place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Despite only being introduced for the final few minutes at St Mary’s, Lingard was called up for the England squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers by Gareth Southgate, which would appear a blow to West Ham’s chances of signing him.

Rosser didn’t completely rule out one last-ditch attempt from West Ham to try and re-sign Lingard, but told The Transfer Tavern that his love for his boyhood club United has dampened the Hammers’ chances:

“I think he wants to keep Manchester United – he’s adamant he wants to stay there. Him being in the England squad won’t help West Ham.

“If you can get in the England squad from playing 10 minutes against Southampton, then I think he’ll be fairly confident he can stay at United.

“You wonder whether that you could change over the weekend, but he’s been at the club a long time and loves the club.”