View: 100% Everton outcast gives David Moyes food for thought despite int'l side being booed off

Everton defender Nathan Patterson started as Scotland fell to a 1-0 defeat against Japan at Hampden Park on Saturday.

The international break has finally given the full-back the chance to get some football under his belt after a difficult spell at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

He has hardly been used on Merseyside this season and, as a result, has been strongly linked with an exit ahead of the summer.

Steve Clarke clearly likes what he has seen in small flashes from the 24-year-old after calling him up to the Tartan Army’s squad for clashes with Japan and the Ivory Coast.

Patterson started for Scotland in their first friendly of the two and showed David Moyes why he may deserve more minutes in L4.

Nathan Patterson shows positive signs in Scotland loss vs Japan

The defender has struggled for game time with the Blues in recent years, and that hasn’t looked set to change this campaign.

Despite coming into the side as a starter in January, opportunities have still been increasingly hard to come by in the Premier League.

That hasn’t stopped Clarke from showing faith in the former Rangers youngster after handing him a start against Japan on Saturday.

Scotland may have fallen to a late 1-0 defeat, but there were certainly some positives to take for Patterson on the day.

Across 81 minutes, he was able to complete 31 passes and create one chance for a teammate while also chipping in with five defensive actions.

That was added to by a 100 per cent cross success rate and four accurate long balls throughout his Hampden Park showcase.

He also won all of his attempted duels, proving why he may be deserving of more minutes upon his return to Merseyside.

Scotland may have been booed off, but Patterson deserved his flowers against Japan for a useful showcase.

Patterson makes point to David Moyes at Everton

It has been an unfortunate string of events for the full-back on Merseyside as things have never truly worked out.

He signed as an exciting talent from Rangers, but hasn’t really secured a regular role in the five seasons since his switch from Ibrox.

That has been clear to see for Patterson this season, as his Premier League minutes are unlikely to meet his needs.

That won’t be helped by him picking up regular minutes on the international stage, especially if he is putting in good performances.

Moyes has to take notice of what the defender is doing with Scotland and may have his hand forced as the run-in to the campaign approaches.

Having more competition for Jake O’Brien can only be a plus point, but only if his minutes take a step up after the March break.

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