FORMER Rangers striker Steven Naismith knows a thing or two about making an impression at Goodison Park after departing Ibrox.

The 51-times capped forward, now working as football development manager at Hearts, made over 100 appearances over four years for Everton after heading down south in 2012.

At the time, Naismith was the latest in a long line of Scots to have played for the blue half of Liverpool as he followed in the footsteps of the likes of Duncan Ferguson, Davie Weir, Gary Naysmith and James McFadden.

And with the Premier League outfit closing in on Patterson, the Scotland internationalist looks set to be the latest player to join that list - something that Naismith believes works in the 20-year-old's favour.

"I’ve had loads of texts from Evertonians in the last six months asking me about Nathan," Naismith told the Scottish Sun.

"From the kitmen to the masseurs and staff around the training ground, they’re all die-hard supporters desperate for the team to do well.

"They’re all buzzing now to see there is significant investment coming and this deal is getting done.

"I think in the last few years Everton have signed players these guys can’t really identify with, but they’re all excited about another young Scottish player joining them.

"It’s like the club has a long association with Scots, so Nathan is guaranteed a great welcome just because of that.

"Evertonians like the Scottish mentality of just getting your head down and working hard for the team.

"You can have your worst-ever game, but those supporters will accept that so long as you walk off the park absolutely knackered.

"That’s what I would say to Nathan, ‘Go there and give your all and those fans will get right behind you’.

"That’s what they’re all about and it’s why they identify with us Scots.

"There has been a conveyor belt going way back down the years to more recent guys like big Davie Weir, Goughie, Gary Naysmith, Faddy and obviously Big Dunc.

"The Evertonians still idolise him and he’ll be there for Nathan 100 per cent.

"He was with the young team when I first signed before Roberto Martinez brought him in to work with the first team.

"As a Rangers fan I would grill him for information about his time at Ibrox and he was brilliant to speak to.

"He’s a gentle giant now, as he likes to tell people, so Nathan will get great advice off Big Dunc. I’m sure he’ll tell him just to give it absolutely everything he’s got.

"I fitted in great because I always had the attitude that I was going to work harder than everybody else.

"On the back of that, I’d spent five years at Rangers where there was a demand and an expectation.

"That’s there at Everton as well. The fans are so passionate about their football club and Liverpool as a city is very similar to Glasgow.

"The people will tell you like it is straight to your face, good or bad, but I like that honesty about Scots and Scousers.

"There is never any smoke and mirrors when you’re having a conversation with someone."