View: Everton dud sums up season with dreadful 0% cameo in int'l defeat

Everton defender Nathan Patterson continues to struggle after featuring for Scotland against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

The right-back was afforded 81 minutes of action at the weekend as the Tartan Army fell to defeat against Japan at Hampden Park.

He put in a mostly positive showing under Steve Clarke, but wasn’t afforded a starting opportunity in the second friendly of the international break.

A back-five was utilised, and Bristol City’s Robbie McCrorie was given the nod to start in the right-wing back role at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Patterson was brought on with half an hour to go, but failed to show why he deserves to be starting for the Toffees or Scotland.

How did Nathan Patterson perform vs Ivory Coast?

There have been questions over the defender and his general lack of minutes for the Blues ever since his move from Rangers in 2022.

That has been consistent this campaign, and he has registered just three Premier League starts so far, but that doesn’t look like it’s changing.

He really needed to take his chances on the international stage and show why he deserves to be starting more regularly for the Toffees.

That wasn’t the case, as in over 28 minutes at Hill Dickinson Stadium, he managed just 19 touches and nine accurate passes.

That wasn’t helped by a zero per cent accuracy in both crosses and long balls after clocking up one attempt in each on the night.

His two defensive actions are hardly anything to write home about, nor is his lack of successful duels in a 1-0 defeat.

Patterson had a chance to show Everton what he can do for Scotland, especially in the 52,000 capacity arena on Merseyside, but he couldn’t manage that.

Patterson in mixed reviews away from Everton

Although the performance against Japan gave David Moyes food for thought, the defeat in L4 probably had the opposite effect.

The Blues need defensive options they can rely on if they are to make good on their efforts to qualify for European competition this season.

Patterson didn’t show he can be a consistent force when called upon against the Ivory Coast, which may be a concern.

He hopes to secure a spot on the plane for the 2026 World Cup, but that could hinge on his performances in blue.

The Scot may well be approaching the end of the road on Merseyside, even after featuring at Hill Dickinson Stadium with his nation.

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