One thing Philippe Clement has done since taking over as Rangers manager is unite the team and get everyone singing off the same song sheet.
Various members of the squad have spoken about how the Gers boss has simplified the instructions and raised standards in and around Ibrox.
What has also been noticed is that Philippe Clement is always about the team and never picks out individuals for praise or criticism, something that one former Rangers academy graduate probably wishes his current manager does.
Sean Dyche stitches up Nathan Patterson, what’s he said?
Everywhere Nathan Patterson goes just now he is having a hard time of it.
He made a mistake in the build up to the goal that Scotland conceded against Northern Ireland and is also getting it tight at his club.
Almost summing Everton’s season up, a club trip to Portugal was supposed to bring the players together, instead, rumours of a fall out and an incident between Sean Dyche and Patterson made its way into the papers.
When asked about his side of the story, Dyche revealed that it was much ado about nothing:
“I tapped him on the head like an older brother would and he didn’t get the joke. It’s really that simple.
“Never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Nothing in it really.”
Now, there are a number of ways in which Dyche could have answered the question.
But, did he have to land the blame solely at the player’s feet?
If Dyche has “tapped” Patterson on the head, why would the player react?
Why isn’t Patterson getting more game time for Everton?
From the outside, it looks like there is a bit of friction between the two.
Patterson, as an international, probably feels he should be getting more game time, especially when he is seeing others getting played out of position ahead of him.
Last season, not long after taking over Dyche made another bizarre comment about the 22-year old right-back.
When asked why he wasn’t playing, the Toffees manager explained:
“Obviously at the minute it’s going to be a fast-track learning but there are a few players out there – Patto is a young player still, you forget that – they’re developing players, they’re not rounded Premier League bona fide players, they’ve got to develop and learn about that.”
By this point, Nathan Patterson had played in the knockout stages of the Europa League, a major international tournament and was trusted by Steven Gerrard to do a job for Rangers.
One way or another, it’s looking increasingly likely that Patterson will have to leave Goodison Park.
If he wants to play for a manager who will love and respect him, I know one who would make him feel welcome.
I’m pretty sure Philippe Clement would love to have someone with Nathan Patterson’s attitude at Rangers.
