Steven Whittaker is determined to hold on to his place in the Rangers team for this weekend's trip to Hearts.
Steven Whittaker is determined to hold on to his place in the Rangers team for this weekend's trip to Hearts.
The Ibrox utility man admits, though, that he would be happier if he did not have to play left-back. 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 the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Tynecastle tomorrow.
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 recovered from injury and have kept my head down.
"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 trailing Celtic by four points and well aware any further slips could be 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."
Jean-Claude Darcheville opened his account for the season last week with the opener against Aberdeen, before Kris Boyd netted his 13th goal of the campaign. Whittaker believes the pair could make the difference if selected for the visit to Edinburgh.
He said: "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."
