Despite G-Mac’s optimistic update recently telling us there was a chance Nathan Patterson and James Tavernier would play together, the reality became kind of clear on Wednesday night.

Tavernier, as we explained, is 100% categorically the first choice for RB. He will never be displaced as long as he is fit.

Which means Nathan Patterson is now a bench player. It’s simple as that.

Now, we’ve expressed the argument before that he’s too good for the bench, and he will want to play.

But hey, guess what – Rangers are not all about what Nathan Patterson wants, they’re about what is best for the club, period.

The captain will always play, and Patterson is now his deputy.

The thing is, if you look at Rangers’ bench, every match it’s filled with three or four players who would all ‘expect’ to play. Hagi, Itten, McLaughlin, Zungu, Wright – guys who joined Rangers not to make the numbers up, but to play, to start.

So don’t tell us a player might move on purely because he’s not playing – Rangers are full of such players.

Patterson will just have to sit on the bench and bide his time.

Is he a great player? We’re very impressed – but then we love Scotty Arfield too and he’s been benched for the bulk of the season.

Patterson’s pathway to the first team was because there was no other RB for Stevie to select – had there been an established senior, he’d have played instead.

Patterson did well, but normal service has now resumed and Tavernier is the first pick.

As for the two of them playing, we think it’s more likely McAllister was just using a spot of rhetoric. We cannot really see Taverner ever being selected as RW.

Que sera!