The Light Blues’ Europa League run came to an end after they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Slavia Prague at home in the second leg of the round of 16 of the competition on Thursday.
The match grabbed the headlines for several reasons as Rangers saw two of their players sent off and Glen Kamara was allegedly racially abused by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela.
In a game filled with disappointments for the Gers, Ibrox great Hateley picked out Patterson as a positive for Steven Gerrard’s side over the two legs.
Citing the two important contributions the 19-year-old made over the two legs, Hatelely heaped praise on Patterson’s anticipation and went on to stress that the full-back is ahead of his game.
“Yes [Patterson is a big positive from the night]“, Hateley said on Ten10 Podcasts.
“He has shown over the two legs, I think he has made two great [blocks over the two legs].
“He made a great block over there in the first game and today [Thursday; ed.] he had a fantastic last-ditch [block].
“He was covering Connor Goldson, who got caught ball-watching, and he got back in there and he got that touch that you needed.
“There’s a young boy ahead of his game here.
“He’s completely looking at the game two or three [steps ahead], what could happen here, what could happen there.
“His analysis of the game when it is in motion is very, very, very good.
“Spots danger very very well and as a defender that is a good thing but he is also going the other way as well.“
Having stepped in for the injured James Tavernier, Patterson has impressed with his performances recently and will be hopeful of building on it.
