Whittaker hoping to get back on the right track

Lisa Gray
STEVEN Whittaker is determined to hold on to his place in the Rangers team for tomorrow's trip to Hearts.
However, the Ibrox utility man admits he would be happier if he did not have to remain in the left-back position.

The 24-year-old has filled the role in the last two weeks in the absence of the injured Sasa Papac, who is back in contention for theHearts set sights on new striker Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Tynecastle.

Whittaker, who can also play in midfield, is now hoping his versatility will work to his advantage and allow him to remain in Walter Smith's plans.

"With the strength of the squad right now, it is taking a player to be injured for others to get their chance so when you are called upon you have to do your best," he said.

"I have now managed to play a couple of games in a row and hopefully I can go on a run now and manage to stay in the team.

"Playing left-back is a position I can fill in. It's not one of my favourite positions. I prefer to be on the other side of the pitch but I'm just happy to be in the starting XI."

Rangers head into the weekend action trailing Celtic by four points in the title race, well aware any further slip-ups could prove costly.

"Hearts are going well at the moment so we are expecting a tough game," said Whittaker. "It's always difficult there and we will need to take our best game with us and hopefully come away with three points.

"Hearts gave us a tough game at Ibrox earlier this season and I'm sure it will be equally testing at Tynecastle.

"We played well the last time we were there. Hearts couldn't handle the pace we played at that day and hopefully it's the same this weekend."

Striker Jean-Claude Darcheville opened his account for the season last week with the first goal against Aberdeen, before Kris Boyd netted his 13th goal of the campaign.

Whittaker believes both players could make all the difference against Hearts if selected for the visit to Edinburgh.

He told his club's official website, www.rangers.co.uk: "We are scoring goals at the moment. Boydy is playing well right now and when that is the case goals usually come so that's fantastic.

"He and Jean-Claude both scored last weekend so that has us in good stead for this weekend."

Meanwhile, Boyd's all-round game and work-rate is improving, according to Rangers strike partner Kenny Miller.

While Boyd has been Scotland's most prolific goalscorer over the past three years, other parts of his game have been criticised.

The debate intensified last month after he withdrew his services to Scotland manager George Burley, who claimed he still had to prove himself in big games for Rangers.

Since then Boyd has netted nine goals in eight games – and Miller believes he has improved other aspects of his play.

Miller, who will miss the clash at Hearts with a calf problem, said: "I think over the last three, four, five games, playing up front with him, I feel you're seeing a different side to his game.

"Before I think maybe it was all about his goals. But he is working very hard off the ball, he is closing defenders down, he is holding the ball, he is bringing people into play.

"I have enjoyed playing up front with him but he is definitely trying to work a lot harder for the team.

"That goes to show in his all-round game, and his goals, because you get rewards for working hard. Or, so I've been told anyway!"

Miller also missed last Saturday's 2-0 win over Aberdeen but is hopeful of re-forming his partnership with Boyd against Hamilton at Ibrox on 6 December. "I've always liked playing up front with big Boydy, we've just never really had any opportunity over the last few years," Miller told Rangers World.

"Now we've been getting a wee run of games, which is a disappointing factor that I've missed the last few games, because we were starting to develop the partnership.

"The more games you play with the same partner, the more you are going to get used to each other. And I feel me and Boydy have been doing well."

Ibrox midfielder Pedro Mendes believes extra work at Murray Park has reaped rewards for Boyd. "He's a top finisher, everyone knew that," the former Portsmouth player said.

"But I think he is really improving his game outside the box, he is working on the kind of play he needs to improve – his link play, holding the ball.

"I think it will make him a more complete striker."

Hearts skipper Christophe Berra is well aware of Boyd's prowess but he is optimistic Hearts can continue their winning run.

Berra said: "They have some quality strikers, and Kris Boyd, since the incident with Scotland, has been banging in the goals for fun.

But I've played against him before and we don't fear players, although we have to respect them."

Taken from the Scotsman