Rangers kids Nathan Patterson and Kai Kennedy reflect on 'unbelievable' debuts!

[George Goudie]

Rangers kids Nathan Patterson and Kai Kennedy reflect on 'unbelievable' debuts!

The youngsters were excited to have reached the milestone against Stranraer in the Scottish Cup on Friday. Nathan Patterson made his Rangers debut against Stranraer on Friday night but he doesn't plan on stopping there.
The right-back impressed during his first piece of competitive action in the 2-0 Scottish Cup win at Ibrox as they reached the fifth round.

Patterson was handed a start after his excellent performance in Rangers' 6-1 winter break friendly win over Lokomotiv Tashkent in Dubai and an injury to skipper James Tavernier .
And the youngster was delighted to finally make his bow and hopes to kick on from here as he aims to break into the first team.


He told STV : “It was surreal, walking out in front of 40,000 fans for the club I love, it was just a great feeling.
“Over in Dubai I just did my best, I got a start against Lokomotiv Tashkent and played well.

“I’d hoped that would be enough to get the starting place against Stranraer.

“I’m just taking each day as it comes, doing my best and hopefully I can take any opportunity that comes my way.
“I’ve shown I can play in front of 40,000 fans and more, it’s what I want to be doing.
“I always try to make an impression, no matter if he’s in the team or not. I just need to do what I need to do and hopefully I can go far.
“I’ve been here for 10 years, I’ve now made my debut and want to keep pushing on.”

Fellow academy graduate Kai Kennedy also made his debut as he replaced Joe Aribo for the final nine minutes of the 2-0 win.
The playmaker was delighted to reach the important milestone and said it was a dream come true to share the occasion with Patterson.
He added: “ It was a dream come true, that’s the moment I’ve been working for over the last seven, eight years.
“The nerves and excitement were unbelievable.

“We’ve grown up together so I was proud of him and he was proud of me, it was great.

“The two of us drive together every day, we do everything together and it was a dream come true for both of us.”

 

[JJ_]

Hopefully many more games to come

 

[Blue Willie]

All the best to the lads now have a great career at Rangers.

 

[George Goudie]

Piss off City, Munich and Roma.

Kai's ours and so is Nathan.

We look after our own again.

 

[Kangabloodyroo]

Brilliant to see youngsters coming through and inspiring for their colleagues that they can get the chance if good enough and apply yourself.

 

[Broughtonloyal]

Good to see young bears show up well

 

[Dingmeister]

Nice to see the pathway to the first team for them

 

[Hussar]

I hope they turn into Rangers greats

 

[ALASKA]

Surely other young players must look at them and say to themselves that’s going to be me.

 

[Let's roll..]

Amazing much more to come from these lads for sure

 

[Baxter2013]

Living the dream!

 

[TonySoprano]

Patterson has a bright future ahead of him

 

[Cumbernauld bear]

Hopefully the first of many.

 

[GreegsysGloves]

Attitudes of both sound absolutely spot on. Theyve got a taste of what could be their future, good luck to them both and hopefully we see some of their teammates joining them in the not too distant future. Living the dream!

 

[Snoopproddiedogg]

Thought patterson played well, Kai didn't get much time so didn't contribute a great deal.

 

[Bluebird]

The boys done good, hopefully many, many more appearances for them in the coming years.

 

[Hexham Blue]

Had it not been for Barkers weak through ball, Young Kai should have had a debut goal. Living the dream the pair of them.

 

[imvaison]

Level headed young men who will be doubling their efforts to get back on the pitch for Rangers. Bodes well for the future.

 

[Ordoab chao66]

Mature heads on their shoulders. Lucky boys who certainly sound appreciative.

 

[flounder]

It must have been some night for them, hopefully they can continue to progress and get into the team.

 

[kai-Johansen59]

These two are not alone as there are a few others who could also get a chance since at long last there seems to be some sort of coordination between the youth and first team set ups.

 

[Bluenosewrx]

Young Patterson looked the part as well

 

[The Union Flag]

I can’t even imagine what that feeling must have been like. Good on them!

 

[kidkoala1872]

Delighted for the both of them, hopefully they get more opportunities and kick on from here.

 

[Zeo]

Hopefully the first of many

 

[Davidw72]

Can’t even imagine what was going through their heads getting a team talk from SG, still pinch myself that he’s our manager.

 

[Redhand]

Both good players, and hopefully we have a good feel more coming up soon

 

[The Duck]

I think we all love to read these kids buzzing to play for the club they love.

 

[CheckpointCharlie]

Nice to see them getting first team action. We seem to be on the right track with youth development - finally.

 

[EdwardoW]

Well done to both boys , great achievement .

 

[Stephenj5]

Would love for one of the youths to make the breakthrough and to become a first team regular. It’s been a while since that happened.

 

[napierblue]

Great to see boys coming through, hope they keep the head when they aren’t involved week in week out and realise if they keep pushing on then the chances will become more and more frequent

 

[FullTimePint]

I thought Kai was unlucky not to get on a little quicker, but he showed some good touches. Will be hard for him to get minutes this year with the league so tight

 

[Kampbell]

Would be great to see these two and at least Robbie McCrorie as first team regulars in the next 2 or 3 seasons.

Fingers crossed.

 

[esson_rfc]

Good to see they loved. Get them on long term contracts and watch them flourish

 

[Troobluu]

looking good for the future we have a few good lads playing just now

 

[BlueBearette]

Best of pals and living the dream what exciting times for these two imagine if they were your son how proud they’re parents must of been watching them make their debut.

 

[blueboab]

Stevie G has my full trust on how to deal with the youngsters , perfect man to bring them along nicely

 

[Cuellar]

Patterson could be a good full back in the future but I think he lacks a bit of pace for that position then again Tavernier is really quick

 

[MearnsUnionist]

Nathan is a born winner, with a No Surrender attitude to match his outstanding ability.

He's going all the way.

 

[ItsInTheNet]

Our futures good with young loyal talented lads such as Nathan and Kai coming through the ranks. Keep pushing lads!

 

[MearnsUnionist]

Patterson could be a good full back in the future but I think he lacks a bit of pace for that position then again Tavernier is really quick

Nathan is lightning quick mate and is faster than both Tav and Borna.

Obviously he's not at their level ability wise, but he's the quickest full back at the club.

 

[MountFBear]

Hopefully get the opportunity for some more exposure in the coming months, although they will may be limited due to title push

 

[Gersboyjohn]

Brilliant lads, grab the opportunity with both hands!

 

[grascots]

Nathan is lightning quick mate and is faster than both Tav and Borna.

Obviously he's not at their level ability wise, but he's the quickest full back at the club.

This excites me and have high hopes for the lad. This is the future,

 

[StaunchyAF]

Great to see then getting their chance and will be a boost for the other youngsters knowing the opportunity is there.

 

[Dotty_84]

Ball was in play for like 5 mins whilst Kai was ready to come on.

 

[Hallers]

Looking forward to seeing these lads in action in the next few months

 

[Bigbearsdad1]

Is Mayo the best of the defensive prospects (apart from Nathan)?

Don't see much of them myself

 

[moondance]

Well done to them. Great to see our own coming through the ranks. It doesn’t happen often enough unfortunately.