Former Rangers youth coach Peter MacDonald always knew Nathan Patterson would fill out to become the tall, muscular footballer we see today - after one look at his Dad!

MacDonald was coaching the Ibrox under-15s when he came across the right-back, who was then yet to fully develop.

But given the apple doesn't often fall far from the tree there were few worries about his physical development given Nathan's father was a man of stature.

And MacDonald is delighted to see the flying full-back is now becoming the powerhouse he always suspected would arrive for club and country.

He told The Sunday Mail: “Nathan was small and skinny with the Under-15s. But he was still quick and athletic.

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“His dad is big and tall though. He has real presence about him as a man so we always knew that Nathan would eventually take a stretch.

“And he shot up a full foot in height rapidly. You can see a huge change in him over the last year or so.

“He always had the ability. The only question was over his physicality for a right-back.

“Because even at 15 his attitude was always spot on. He was a kid who always worked really hard on his game.

“I felt if he had that growth, he would potentially have a real chance of making the grade at Rangers.

“I always remember looking at his dad and thinking, ‘Nathan will end up having that type of stature too.’

“And he’s now identical to his dad, with that broad back and shoulders.

“He’s probably still got a bit of filling out to do at just 19 years old. But he’ll definitely get there.”