Can Nathan Patterson play vs Celtic? Frantic Rangers fanatics check the rulebook as defensive crisis engulfs Ibrox

A return to Ibrox has been rumoured for Nathan Patterson - but the Rangers rumour mill has been sent into overdrive after James Tavernier's injury hammer blow.

Philippe Clement is in the midst of a defensive injury crisis with his skipper joining John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo on the sidelines before the clash with Celtic with Leon Balogun facing a race against the clock to even make the bench for Thursday's showdown. It comes with the Belgian in dire need of a win at Ibrox against Brendan Rodgers' side with the Hoops holding a comfortable 14-point advantage over their rivals at the Scottish Premiership summit.

With the January window set to open, that has left Ibrox diehards dreaming of a fast-tracked move for the 23-year-old amid reports that Rangers are among the clubs interested in a loan move for the Scotland defender. After leaving Govan in January 2022 Patterson has struggled to make his mark at Everton.

The Telegraph reported that the right-back and teammate Jake O'Brien could be among those allowed to leave the club on a temporary basis in January. It appears he is struggling to win over Sean Dyche when he is handed rare game time - after he stopped well short of a ringing endorsement for the defender after replacing Ashely Young from the bench in the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

He said: "Youngy has just come back in the side and we know Patto is more of a going forward player, advancing down the pitch which I thought he tried to effect doing that. There is one way you can affect it."

So could the SOS be sent to Patterson from his former club in time to play on derby day? There would be no red tape which would stop Patterson making his second Rangers debut against Celtic at Ibrox on January 2 – despite it