Whittaker expects new recruits

05 July 2011 08:58
Steven Whittaker signed a five-year deal for Rangers on Monday then claimed he was confident the Scottish champions would attract new recruits.[LNB] Ally McCoist also tied 29-year-old goalkeeper Allan McGregor to a six-year contract as he looks to build his squad ahead of his first season as Light Blues boss.[LNB]Striker David Healy and utility man Andrew Little, left-back Sasa Papac and winger Salim Kerkar had already signed new one-year deals.[LNB]However, McCoist is still looking to bring in his first new player. He has made unsuccessful bids for Dundee United striker David Goodwillie and Hearts defender Lee Wallace, but the Ibrox club are reportedly in talks with Spanish utility player Juan Manuel Ortiz, who plays for Almeria.[LNB]And defender Whittaker, 27, who was recently the subject of several rejected bids from Turkish club Bursaspor, expects new players to soon arrive in Govan.[LNB]"There is a long time to go before the window shuts and I'm sure we will have some new faces in before it does," he said.[LNB]"Deals can be done very quickly and I'm sure he (McCoist) is eyeing up the right people to bring in.[LNB]"He obviously doesn't want to kind of panic buy and I'm sure he will bring in the right faces."[LNB]Whittaker claimed he had no intention of being reunited with former team-mate Kenny Miller at Bursaspor, despite repeated attempts by the Turkish club to land him.[LNB]"I wasn't tempted by Bursaspor," said Whittaker. "I spoke to the manager about them and he was fully aware they were there so he acted quickly to say I wasn't for sale.[LNB]"Rangers had no intention of letting me go and I was quite happy with that. I signed a deal here and that proves that.[LNB]"It was a matter of negotiating and we have managed to come to an agreement and I'm delighted to sign a long-term deal and commit my future to the club.[LNB]"I have been here for four years now and in the last few years we have been successful.[LNB]"I enjoy winning trophies and obviously I want to continue doing that over the next few years as well."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk