Rangers duo agree long-term deals

04 July 2011 13:00

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor and defender Steven Whittaker have agreed new long-term contracts at Rangers, the club have confirmed.

McGregor, 29, who had two years remaining on his existing deal but had reportedly caught the eye of a number of Barclays Premier League clubs, has signed a six-year deal to remain at Ibrox.

Whittaker, 27, who attracted three failed bids from Turkish side Bursaspor this summer, has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.

The club will hold a press conference and photocall at Murray Park on Monday afternoon.

Whittaker, who was in the final year of his previous deal, last month rejected a "substantially improved" new contract offer amid continued interest from Bursaspor, according to his agent.

However, the Scotland right-back is seen as a key figure by new manager Ally McCoist and has now been handed a long-term deal which reportedly makes him one of the club's highest earners.

McGregor, who has been with Rangers for 10 years, also remains integral to McCoist's plans and has put pen to paper on a new deal after months of negotiations.

The pair join Northern Ireland forward David Healy and utility man Andrew Little, Bosnian left-back Sasa Papac and French-Algerian winger Salim Kerkar in signing new deals at Ibrox. The quartet have all agreed new one-year contracts.

Captain David Weir is also expected to agree a 12-month extension this week.

Source: PA