Since then, Everton have have had four managers with Nathan Patterson working under Rafa Benitez, Duncan Ferguson, Frank Lampard, and now Sean Dyche.

And it’s under the gravelly-throated Northerner that things have stuttered at Goodison Park with a lack of minutes – and the reaction to a patronising training camp slap – sending all the wrong signals.

Now, amid murmurs one leading Rangers star is attracting a Saudi fortune, could a Nathan Patterson return to Ibrox solve a number of problems for all parties?

At the time of writing, Patterson has made 19 appearances for Everton this season but hasn’t got off the bench in their last seven Premier League matches.

James Tavernier is wanted in Saudi

Given that only this weekend Rangers captain James Tavernier became British football’s highest scoring defender of all-time (131), it seems sacrilegious to suggest he might leave Ibrox.

A mainstay in the side over the last nine seasons, Hall of Famer Tavernier is in with the bricks at the famous stadium and it’s hard to imagine a Rangers team without the club’s ever-blue captain marauding down the right hand side.

But alas, all good things must come to an end.

And with James Tavernier 32-years-old and the offer of Saudi Arabian millions potentially set to land in the summer, it presents all sorts of dilemmas.

Dependent on the sorts of fees involved, if Saudi interest is realised given Rangers’ selling club status the Ibrox board will have to listen.

Rangers News believes in good faith that the talk of Saudi Arabian interest is legitimate and there’s every chance the Ibrox side will be asked the question in the months ahead.

Nathan Patterson has previously claimed he has “unfinished business” at Rangers and this might be an interesting juncture to test that.

Everton clearly rate the young Scotland star but his progress has been stunted in recent months and amid criticism of his form at international level, there’s a lingering feeling the right-back needs a quick restart.

Should Saudi Arabian Pro League millions be put on the table at Rangers for James Tavernier, then the situation could present an opportunity for the Ibrox side.

Whilst for many the idea James Tavernier leaves Rangers this summer is unthinkable, the Gers could bank those Saudi millions, strike a loan return for Patterson and utilise versatile squad star Dujon Sterling for cover. Or is the Rangers captain just too important a figure to replace?.

GET MORE NEWS HERE