6 July 2007

RANGERS have begun moves to bring Hibs star Steven Whittaker to Ibrox in a £1.8m deal.

At Murray Park today, boss Walter Smith completed the £2.5m signing of Osasuna defender Carlos Cuellar on a four-year deal.

Now SportTimes understands he wants Whittaker to bolster his options on the right.

Rangers switched to the 23-year-old Edinburgh-born Whittaker after their move for Bordeaux's French midfielder Julien Faubert collapsed last weekend over his £6m-plus fee.

Whittaker is currently in Austria with John Collins' Hibs squad on pre-season training.

But it is believed a deal will be done for the player, who has watched pals like Scott Brown, Derek Riordan, Kevin Thomson, Ian Murray and Gary Caldwell all move to the Old Firm.

Hibs denied last month they had agreed a deal, but moves are going on behind the scenes and Whittaker is keen to make the switch to Ibrox. Birmingham City, Bolton, Boro and Celtic have all been impressed with Whittaker's progress, but Rangers now hope to land him as competition at right back, with Alan Hutton the only recognised player for that position.

The 6ft 1in Whittaker has also excelled in a right-midfield role, and his versatility means he can also operate in central defence. Source - EveningTimes

20 June 2007

Smith is also close to landing Hibs' Steven Whittaker. That deal will not be done in time for Wednesday's deadline, but the 23-year-old is likely to be a Rangers player by the time they play Inverness Caley in the SPL opener on August 4. Source - EveningTimes

28 July 2007

Rangers are expected to divert the money towards a move for Hibernian's Steven Whittaker. Smith is a keen admirer of the 23-year-old right-sided player and could step up his interest next week. Source - The Herald

30 July 2007

Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough and Rangers are vying for the signature of Hibernian right-back Steven Whittaker.

The 23-year-old's agent, Ken Anderson, told BBC Sport that a deal for the sale of the versatile player could be completed within the next few days.

A fee of between £1.5m and £1.8m will be required to seal the signature of the much-admired former Scotland Under-21 international.

Anderson will hold further talks with the clubs on Tuesday.

Whittaker, a product of the Easter Road youth system, has made 173 appearances for the Scottish Premier League club.

But the defender, who can also play in midfield, was absent from the Hibs side that defeated Middlesbrough 1-0 in Saturday's pre-season friendly in Edinburgh.

Hibs have already sold Whittaker's former Under-21 team-mate, Scott Brown, this summer, the midfielder joining Celtic for £4.4m. Source - BBC Sport