Walter Smith has revealed new signing Steven Whittaker will be pushed into a midfield role.
New signing handed change of position
Manager Walter Smith has revealed new signing Steven Whittaker will be pushed into a midfield Rangers role.
Whittaker starred for Hibernian at right-back last season before making a £2milliom move to Rangers at the beginning of August.
Having captured his man, Smith now says Whittaker will be used at right midfield instead of the defensive position where the 23-year-old impressed.
Rangers already have an established right-back in Alan Hutton and Smith, who returned to the Ibrox hot seat in January, believes the new combination with Whittaker will form a formidable force down the flank.
"I would say that at the present moment Steven is more likely to play midfield for us than he is in the full-back position," Smith told the Daily Record.
"Alan has been excellent for us since we came here, so putting Steven in the other position will give us not only his physical strength but a great level of ability."
Delighted
Smith has now made nine summer signings as he looks to bridge the gap to Scottish champions Celtic and he admits versatility is a key skill.
"We know Steven has the capability to play both positions to a high standard. That's why I'm delighted to have him," Smith added.
Whittaker, though, is not daunted by the change of position and believes he has the ability to make the switch having briefly performed there during his Easter Road days.
"On the odd occasion I was moved into midfield and did a decent job there," Whittaker told the Daily Record.
"I'm capable of playing both positions and I'm happy to play either. As long as I'm in the starting 11, whether it's at right midfield or right-back doesn't bother me."
