By Fraser McLuggage.

Nathan Patterson talks exclusively to UWS News about his future at Rangers and how it felt to walk out the tunnel at Ibrox in front of 40,000.

The right-back made his debut in Rangers’ 2-0 win over Stranraer in the Scottish Cup at the start of January. He said: “It was great to get the nod to start. I thought just try and take the opportunity and I don’t think I did myself any harm.

“It was a great achievement to make my debut for the club I’ve supported all my life in the game against Stranraer. It’s something I have been working towards for a long time and it was a surreal experience walking out in front of 40,000 fans, trying to showcase what I can do.”

Patterson travelled with the squad to Dubai for the winter training camp and took part in the 6-1 victory over Lokomotiv Tashkent. “It was a great experience to be around the first team everyday and see what they do day in and day out and just try to copy what they do and add stuff that will help your career. It’s really helped.

“Scott Arfield is great with the younger guys. He always speaks to you and makes sure you’re not on your own and helps you out if you need any help.

The young prospect would like to garner more understanding of the game from his captain, but understands how James Tavernier must focus on his own game: “Sometimes It’s a wee bit hard for him to speak to me because he is busy and he’s working on his own game. I just try to pick up off of what he does and learn from him everyday on and off the pitch to see if I can add anything into my game or personality that will improve me as a player.”

Patterson was delighted to be rewarded with a contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2022. He said: “It’s obviously great to get the deal done and secure that extra two and a half years to do what I need to do and get as far as I can.”

Steven Gerrard made the decision to keep the full-back at the club for the remainder of the season and the 18 year old admits that he is focussed on doing a job for Rangers: “A loan move has never came across my mind. I’ve always focused on doing what I can for Rangers and seeing what I can do this season.”

“Gerrard’s never really spoken to me about how I will be involved this season but he has spoken to me about the game plan and what I need to do in my position. He has spoken to me about how he wants the team to play and his ethos and how I am going to buy into that.”

Liverpool wonder-kid, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is seen as an inspiration for the young Gers’ starlet: “I look up to Trent because he is a young player who came through the youth at a top academy. It shows you that if you are good enough then it is possible as long as you are willing to work hard and put in the graft then anything is possible no matter what club you’re at.”