Phil Bardsley raves over Scotland stars Patterson and Hickey as he reveals which one Sir Alex Ferguson has his eye on

PHIL BARDSLEY knows a thing or two about playing right-back for Scotland.

And he reckons the national side has a load of talent in that position.

Hickey featured against Ukraine in the playoff

Patterson’s Scotland career has been hampered by injury

Bardsley revealed it’s a view shared by his old Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Both keep tabs on their country and are big fans of rising stars Nathan Paterson and Aaron Hickey.

Ex-Old Trafford star Bardsley said: “Patterson is excellent. I was talking to Sir Alex about him at Michael Carrick’s Golf Day and he really likes the look of him.

“I’ve seen a bit of him, he looks bright and sharp. I’ve not seen as much of Aaron Hickey, but it’s great to see two young players battling it out for the jersey.

“You need that because it’s healthy for the squad. They are both very good, talented youngsters.”

Bardsley was capped 13 times by Scotland, and loved his time under boss Craig Levein.

He added: “It was a brilliant period, I really enjoyed it. Craig brought in lots of English players who qualified to play.

“He approached me joining up for the 2012 European Championship qualifiers.

“I had to accept the challenge. It was a good group to play in — we were up against Spain and the Czech Republic.

“So I felt it was the right time to step up to that international level.
“I think I did that, but then it petered out for me at the time Gordon Strachan came in.

“These things happen in football. Some managers like you and some don’t, but I never got that warm feeling when he took over. It ended up being a grind.

“In one of his first games I didn’t even get on. I was left wondering what I was doing.”

Bardsley had a 14-year distinguished spell in the Premier League with United, Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley and also had a brief stint at Rangers in 2006.

The 37-year-old signed for League Two Stockport County earlier this week, in what is his 19th year as a pro and he hopes to break into the side.

He added: “My career has been something of a rollercoaster ride. The easiest thing is getting to the top, but the hardest thing is staying there because you know what it takes.

“You’ve got to deliver those high standards week in, week out.

“Stats don’t lie, but I’ve only ever been relegated once in my career — and that was at Burnley last season when I didn’t get to kick a ball.”

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