Source: Team_Talk
Whittaker expects strikers to shine
Whittaker set the ball rolling on a 3-0 win with a superb strike of his own, before Boyd converted from the penalty spot and Kenny Miller sealed the victory in injury time.[LNB]Both forwards are working their way back to full fitness, with Miller recently hampered by a hamstring problem and Boyd back in action after undergoing a double hernia operation which sidelined him for four weeks.[LNB]Whittaker - despite flitting between right-back and midfield - is now third only to the prolific pair in the Rangers scoring charts after bringing his own tally for the season to an impressive 10 goals so far.[LNB]But he insists he is more than happy for them to steal the limelight and believes they will soon be back to the form which saw them net a barrowload of goals between them in December before both had their enforced spells in the treatment room.[LNB]"We are hoping that will be the case," said Whittaker.[LNB]"They showed they were missed when they were out of the team and they have shown how important they were at the start of the season and in December especially.[LNB]"Getting more minutes under their belts is fantastic and they will go from strength to strength."[LNB]Rangers now boast a goal difference almost twice as good as that of Celtic and Whittaker believes the defence must also be given credit for such a strong position in the SPL at this stage of the season.[LNB]He said: "We've managed to keep it fairly tight at the back and we've not been conceding goals. We went through spells when we weren't scoring, apart from December when we scored quite a lot.[LNB]"But with Kris and Kenny back now, I'm sure the goals will start flowing. As long as we can keep the clean-sheets at the back, I'm sure we will do well.[LNB]"The result was great and the boys knew how important the game was. We showed our determination and the boys were fantastic. We showed a great attitude and to play like that was great.[LNB]"We know that Hibs are a capable side and they have shown that over the season. They're not that far off us so it was important, at Ibrox especially, to take all the points available.[LNB]"I think we showed our intent from the start and that we were up for it. We showed mental strength to get in about the game and create chances and play well. We did that and got the points."[LNB]Whittaker's views about a solid rearguard were echoed by boss Walter Smith after stand-out performances from David Weir and Madjid Bougherra against Hibs.[LNB]He said: "Any team that wins the league championship has to have a decent defensive record - I don't think there is any doubt about that.[LNB]"Unless you score a remarkable number of goals, that's always going to be the case. Our boys have defended solidly. I think at times we have played better than a lot of people have given us credit for."[LNB]And Smith also praised Whittaker for his own contribution, both in terms of his versatility and his goals so far.[LNB]He said: "He's had most of them from the right-back position and he is doing remarkably well in that respect.[LNB]"I thought it was going to take something a little bit special to break the deadlock and it was an excellent move leading up to it and a terrific finish.[LNB]"He has been playing extremely well for us and there are not many players who can move from right-back to outside left and not complain about it. He has got goals from both positions this season which has been excellent."[LNB][LNB]
