Nathan Patterson leaves Rangers champion Kris Boyd baffled as Scotland howler sparks instant inquiry

Bemused Kris Boyd admits he couldn't believe the Scotland howler from Nathan Patterson that gifted Northern Ireland the winner at Hampden.

The Everton defender attempted to twist and turn his way out of trouble in the box as he looked to slide the ball to Ryan Christie to prevent dangers - but that gifted the chance to Conor Bradley to intercept the ball and beat Angus Gunn in the Scotland net. It was a dismal display from Steve Clarke's side at the national stadium as they fell to their seventh game without a win with the opening Euro 2024 fixture against Germany just 11 weeks away.

Boyd has long been a supporter of Patterson since he came through the Rangers academy - previously being among the leader cheerleaders for the right-back to get a call-up by Clarke for Euro 2020 before the boss gave him the nod. He also told the English Premier League side that the cash the fee in the region of £12million - which could rise to £16million - would prove to be a bargain.

However, even Boyd was at a loss to defend Patterson in the Sky Sports News studio following the goal. After the strike, he said: "I don't know what Nathan Patterson is doing.

"First of all he takes a bad touch, then he goes chasing after it. Then he recovers and tries to play a pass into Ryan Christie, then Conor Bradley just takes it off him and bends it into the top corner.

"It takes a little nick off of Jack Hendry which lifts it over Angus Gunn. But the way Bradley went after Patterson - he is on the left-hand side and Bradley is on the right - it's great and it's a great finish."