Whittaker went all the way to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final and the backlog of games caught up with them – but he insists it can be different this time.
Steven Whittaker reckons being the only Scottish club left in Europe can fuel Rangers’ title bid – rather than see them running on fumes. The former Ibrox defender says tackling big names from the continent should ensure Philippe Clement’s players are at the top of their game to blow opposition away on home soil.
Whittaker was a key member of Walter Smith’s side that bulldozed their way to the UEFA Cup Final in 2008. But on that occasion fighting on domestic and continental fronts was blamed for Rangers running out of steam in the final leg of the league race with Celtic – with a gruelling four games in eight days including the Euro final against Zenit seeing them fall just short in the title race.
Rangers are again Scotland’s sole representatives in Europe after Christmas having secured a spot in the last 16 of the Europa League. And Whittaker insists more glamour nights should help not hinder Clement’s side in their drive for success on all fronts.
He said: “You want to play as much as you can. Games are not the issue. They get looked after in between and those players will want to be playing. So extra games doesn’t come into it.
“The European games take care of themselves. The fans love it, the players love it. You’ll find a lot of players are at the top of their game because of the occasion. So Rangers players will love those games when they come along.
“I expect them to be motivated and put in a high level of performance going into them. The progression they’ve had in the tournament in the last couple of years will give them confidence, they’ve done well in it. But it also shows them the levels they need to try and hit week in, week out.
“That’s always the ask of a Rangers player no matter what – can you reach that every time so you can blow teams away? That’s what the manager will be asking.”
Whittaker has been impressed with the turnaround under Clement that saw the Belgian go 16 games unbeaten as boss before the new year Old Firm defeat to Celtic. He insists James Tavernier, in his old right back position, will be key to any success that’s added to the League Cup. And Whittaker can’t believe the skipper still has his critics.
He said: “I’m not sure what other right backs are there pushing him at the minute but Tavernier keeps coming up with the goods anyway. His form has been good. He came up with another big moment in the Old Firm last week. That’s him, he’s the leader of that team.
“What is he on now? Sixteen goals this season? And the team are going well at the minute so he will be looking to stay focused and keep the performances where they are. He’s been over the course domestically and in Europe and he is so important to the team.
“The manager seems to have got a tune out of the players. They are right there challenging at the top of the league and if they keep that form up then who knows?
“The Old Firm is obviously one of the games you want to win and it never quite went their way. But the run of form going into that game was very good and they’ll just want to pick up again where they left off and see where it takes them.”
Ross McCausland’s rise from academy has been another bright note on the season with the 20-year-old penning a new deal at the tail end of the season. And Whittaker said: “I give credit to Ross for coming in and taking his chance. Sometimes that chance only comes along once and he has grabbed the jersey. He is there on merit.
“He has earned it and it’s good to see him adding goals to his game. It’s now about keeping hold of that jersey and the only way to do that is keep the performance levels high. But it’s great to see him signing a new deal and hopefully he will be in and around the team for many years to come.”
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