Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton has commended the club’s decision to award a new contract to teenage prodigy Nathan Patterson, who he described as “definitely one for the future”.

The Light Blues’ official website rangers.co.uk confirmed last week that the 18-year-old right-back signed a new deal at the club that will keep him at Ibrox until 2022.

Hutton feels that the teenager has massive potential and he has even backed him to rival senior right-back James Tavernier for a place in Steven Gerrard’s first team next season.

Speaking about Patterson to Football Insider, Hutton said: “They speak very highly of him, all through the coaching staff at Ibrox. He’s definitely one for the future.

“It’s great to tie him down, young prospect, very highly rated, a lot of teams were interested in him so for Rangers to tie him down on a longer contract is brilliant for the club and for him.

“It’s definitely a place he can thrive, come through to push Tavernier next season because he’ll be young and hungry.”

Hutton’s delight at Patterson committing his future to Rangers is understandable given the promise that the 18-year-old has shown at youth team level in recent months.

He has shone in the Light Blues’ UEFA Youth League run, starting all four games in the competition so far. He scored what proved to be an ultimately crucial away goal in the 3-3 draw away to Young Boys in the first round and set up a goal in the 2-1 win away to Slovan Bratislava in their most recent game in the tournament. [via TransferMarkt]

He has also started three matches in Rangers’ Scottish Challenge Cup run this term, with Graeme Murty’s team keeping a clean sheet in the competition on every occasion that Patterson has been in the side. [via TransferMarkt]

It hasn’t just been Hutton who has lauded the youngster, either. Murty said that he “has all the characteristics you would ascribe to an elite-level full-back” (as per Football Insider), while ex-Gers player Peter Lovenkrands said that the teenager reminds him of none other than Hutton (Football Insider).

Hutton also correctly alludes to interest in Patterson from other clubs, with Football Insider reporting last month that recently-crowned Club World Cup winners Liverpool were keeping tabs on the teenage prospect.

For Rangers to be able to convince the youngster to commit his future to the club is a significant feather in their cap in the context of Liverpool’s interest and the loss of another promising youngster in Billy Gilmour to Chelsea two years ago (as per The Scotsman).

Whether Patterson will manage to fulfil Hutton’s prediction of challenging Tavernier for a first-team berth next season remains to be seen, but it’s not too hard to see why the former Rangers right-back has such high hopes for the newly-committed and precocious Rangers right-back.

Rangers fans, do you agree with Hutton’s take on Patterson? Can you see him pushing Tavernier for a place in the team next season? Join in the discussion by commenting below!