Scottish full-backs: Patterson part of talented bunch
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Seven Scottish full-backs making their mark
Scotland are currently spoilt for choice when it comes to full-backs, with Nathan Patterson having completed his move from Rangers to Everton.
He follows in the footsteps of Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, who have already made big-money moves from Scotland to the Premier League.
Here we take a look at the burgeoning batch of Scottish full-backs making their presence felt both north and south of the border.
Andy Robertson
Full-backs have been a vital part of the success Liverpool have enjoyed under Jurgen Klopp and Robertson, on the left, has been a constant threat along with Trent Alexander-Arnold down the right.
Robertson was first brought to England by Hull, who signed the left-back from Dundee United on the same day as they captured Harry Maguire from Sheffield United.
He impressed enough in two years with the Tigers to be snapped up by Liverpool and the rest is history, with Robertson winning the Premier League and Champions League while he is also captain of Scotland.
Kieran Tierney
Scotland have been spoilt for choice at left-back in recent years with Robertson and Tierney arguably their two best players.
Both play in the same position for their clubs but it is a sign of their talent that Scotland boss Steve Clarke has found a way to get both in his team.
Tierney came through Celtic’s academy and established himself in the first team before a £25million move to Arsenal in the summer of 2019.
Injury problems have hampered him at times but he signed a new long-term contract in June and in February became the first Scottish player to score for Arsenal in Europe since 1980.
Nathan Patterson
Patterson has made just 25 appearances for Rangers’ first team since being given his debut in a Scottish Cup tie against Stranraer two years ago.
However, despite being unable to dislodge club captain James Tavernier to earn a regular starting place at club level, the 20-year-old has made a huge impression, earning himself involvement with Scotland at Euro 2020 and now the chance to join Everton.
The transfer fee is thought to be arpund £11million and makes him the most expensive player ever sold by Rangers.
Aaron Hickey
After breaking on to the scene as a 16-year-old with Hearts in 2019, Hickey earned himself a £1.5million move to Serie A side Bologna in summer 2020.
The 19-year-old has established himself in Italy’s top flight over the past 18 months and has already eclipsed Joe Jordan as the highest-scoring Scot in Serie A after netting four goals in 19 appearances this term alone from left wing-back. His two-footedness means he can also play on the right.
Recently linked with a big-money move to AC Milan and Aston Villa, it is surely only a matter of time before he makes his Scotland debut.
Calvin Ramsay
The 18-year-old Aberdeen academy graduate has made a huge impression since being given his first-team debut in March 2021.
Has made 24 appearances at right-back and has been persistently linked with bigger clubs this term, including Manchester United, Bologna, Eintracht Frankfurt, Leicester and Newcastle.
Aberdeen, who value Ramsay at £4million, are likely to have their resolve tested this month and he could be the next of the Scottish full-backs to head south.
Josh Doig
The 19-year-old has made 56 appearances for Hibernian since being given his debut by Jack Ross in August 2020.
Made a huge impact in his first season in the team, displacing the long-serving Lewis Stevenson as first-choice left-back and becoming the subject of strong interest in the summer which led to him being left out the side at the start of the season as he looked set to join Watford.
The move fell through on that occasion but Doig is sure to attract further attention in the near future.
Anthony Ralston
At 23, it is only in the past six months that Ralston has emerged as one of the Scottish full-backs of genuine substance at Celtic.
Showed promise when he first broke through as a teenager in 2016 but lost his way thereafter and looked like he would have to leave Celtic and possibly drop down the divisions.
However, he was given a fresh start by new boss Ange Postecoglou at the start of this term and his seized it impressively, making himself Celtic’s first-choice right-back, chipping in with five goals, earning a contract extension until 2025 and being called up to the Scotland squad for the first time in November.
