Steven Gerrard moved Nathan Patterson to the left-back spot during his cameo against Ross County in an effort to help him improve as a player.

The Scouser moved Calvin Bassey to centre-back as Leon Balogun was substituted from the pitch as a precaution with Patterson moving to the unfamiliar left side.

Balogun will be wrapped in cotton wool with Filip Helander injured and the decision prompted the manager to make a seemingly unorthodox choice.

But Gerrard feels the 20-year-old can only benefit from the chance to play in a new position and develop new skills.

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He told Rangers TV: “There were two reasons. Leon needed offloading. But Calvin and Nathan are at an age where they need to be tested in different situations, they need to keep learning, growing and evolving.

“Playing out of position in different areas of the pitch will be good for their growth and where they want to get to.

“And he (Patterson) also deserved a cameo and some minutes because he’s been training ever so well.”