As if the hype around Nathan Patterson wasn’t enough, not only is the kid excelling for club and country and growing into one of Rangers’ prized assets, not only that, but added to Everton’s confirmed interest in his January signature and previous £8M bid is the fact Man Utd are now monitoring him.

We have to say, while Everton is an attractive enough prospect even without European football but clearly up against the crème of Europe anyway in the PL, Man Utd is just a completely different animal.

There are almost no players in the world who would reject Man Utd, and certainly none playing their football in the SPL.

So if the Old Trafford juggernaut did make a move in January, as they are being predicted to do, and bid what Rangers consider the kid to be worth, only his love for Rangers (he is a diehard Rangers fan) would keep him at the club, even if he’s first choice by then.

That said, if he’s having to fend off Tavernier and Stevie G’s preference towards the captain, Rangers would have no chance fending off Man Utd should they make a bid.

Steven Gerrard’s management of Patterson has to be so, so careful over the next 3 months.

He can’t overplay him as the lad is still developing, but he can’t underplay him and risk losing his talents to the PL, Man Utd or otherwise.

But Man U are Man U and few players in the UK can turn them down.

Hopefully Patterson’s position at the club is strong come next year and even a goliath like them won’t tempt him away.

But money does talk.