Rangers yesterday confirmed Matt Polster’s sale to MLS giants New England for an undisclosed fee (£350K) and wished him well in his return to his homeland.

The player thanked Rangers including Steven Gerrard, the players and the fans for making his dream come true of playing in Europe, and with that, his departure was confirmed.

We wish him well – but there’s more to it.

Why would Rangers let go such a high-quality player for such a modest fee, merely breaking even?

The bottom line is that despite his evident ability, not only was Polster wanting to play and unhappy with being benched, but he had been demoted from even that status, for one simple reason:

Nathan Patterson.

Highly-rated, the youth graduate has now been promoted into the senior team, and will be James Tavernier’s deputy next season.

He’s a mere 18, but not only does he have a tonne of potential, and a surprisingly mature head on his shoulders, but Rangers made the decision that the ex-Auchenhowie charge will be the main competition for the captain, effectively making Polster’s position at Ibrox untenable.

Polster has been a truly honourable player, who no one has a bad word to say about. Rangers even highlighted his human qualities by describing him as ‘popular’ in the press release of his departure – but the guy needs minutes at this point in his career, and he was never going to get them under this manager.

Patterson will now be the second RB ‘in command’ and Polster begins a new adventure back in the MLS.

We’re pleased a youth player will be more prominent, but can’t help feeling more than a touch of sympathy that Polster got such a raw deal at Ibrox.

Que sera.