Patterson proves his potential again despite Everton absence

Nathan Patterson starred for Scotland last night as the young Everton full-back produced a fine performance for his country in an international friendly against Poland.

The ex-Rangers youngster has hardly had a look-in since he signed for Everton in early January as he didn’t get a chance to play under the manager who was in post when he moved south of the border because Rafa Benitez was sacked very soon afterwards.

However, he also hasn’t had much more opportunity under Benitez’s successor Frank Lampard. The new Blues’ boss has largely overlooked his Scottish defender as well preferring to stick with veteran Seamus Coleman.

This sort of decision, while understandable, has meant that Coleman has played a lot of minutes recently and has at times been very exposed by the opposition.

The other young full-back signed by the club at the beginning of the transfer window, Vitalii Mykolenko, has also rarely seen much action (although he has played more) and of course the events in his home country have overshadowed his situation.

To be honest both these players must be wondering why they bothered given the horrendous situation the Toffees’ are in with relegation now looking more and more likely as each week slips by.

Well, Patterson anyway got some respite from the crisis at his club when he played for his country against Poland.

And, he got a start playing as a wing-back for Scotland. He had an excellent game and showed the sort of attacking flair and creativity that presumably persuaded Everton to spend so much money on him.

While obviously, there’s no certainty that he could have been producing this sort of quality for the Blues’ in the Premier League, it is still a little baffling he hasn’t had more opportunities recently, especially as Lampard has so often played a three-man defence with essentially wing-backs.

Perhaps, this sort of effort in the international arena could help his cause as Everton face a huge final quarter to the season where more pace and attacking threat will be very much needed.

Another Toffees’ player who has been excelling for his country is Richarlison. The Brazilian forward has looked a forlorn figure recently in a royal blue shirt as his team’s incredible inconsistency has so often starved him of decent chances.

He was on the scoresheet though for Brazil as they further cemented their lead in the South American qualifying group with a 3-0 win over.

We have to hope that he can find his shotting boots in earnest over the next few months as Everton desperately try and avoid the dreaded drop.