If the past two days have taught Steven Gerrard anything, it’s that Nathan Patterson CANNOT sit on the bench any more.

For love nor money, either the manager plays the boy, or sells him or James Tavernier.

Now, the reason we argue this point is Liverpool have reportedly joined Everton in seeking Patterson’s signature. Well aware of the quality of FBs the SPL develops (Robertson, Tierney and now Rangers’ lad), PL sides have started to take serious interest in this one, and while £5M was clearly too low a bid, that Liverpool are now interested shows the standard of Patterson and his CV.

Now, more tellingly, while James Tavernier’s first half of 55 was stunning, it was indeed the only period of his Rangers career where he’s consistently won over all his doubters. The rest of his entire 6 years, so that’s 5 and a half, he’s been as divisive as they come and has never come close to winning over the majority.

The only one to stand by Tavernier so rigidly has been his manager.

And now we’re getting all the attacks on his captaincy as well.

The biggest clue here? Just one bid (£3M from West Brom) in 6 years for James Tavernier has ever been made since he joined – we’ve now already knocked one back for his understudy who, it seems, is the better player all in all and with all the potential in the world to be Andy Robertson, Alan Hutton or, yes, Kieran Tierney. Or better.

Steven Gerrard has a decision to make. He could play his stubborn hand, refuse the sale, and keep Patterson on the bench, but that doesn’t help anyone, and is frankly arrogance on the manager’s part to let Patterson rot. And yes, we got abuse for that wording yesterday but many also agreed with the sentiments.

Because the more sides interested in Patterson, the more misguided our manager looks for loyally sticking with Tavernier regardless.

He can do the duo, that works – Tavernier is impressive in attack, but as an all-round RB Patterson is miles in front.

But what he can’t do is leave Patterson on the bench forever.

Eventually, there will be a transfer request and we’ll have an unhappy player on our hands.

Mind you, if Celtic can get £20M for Ajer…