Source: Team_Talk
Whittaker fancies title defence
While Barry Ferguson, Christian Dailly, Brahim Hemdani, Charlie Adam, Alan Gow and Graeme Smith have all departed Ibrox, finances have prevented Walter Smith from bolstering his squad.
But, with the nucleus of last season's team remaining at the club - including key men like Madjid Bougherra, Pedro Mendes and Steven Davis - Whittaker sees no reason why the silverware should not remain in the Ibrox trophy room.
He said: "It's a new season, with new tasks. It was difficult to win the league but we will take confidence from last season.
"We have the same squad, there are no new faces, but we believe we can do it.
"We showed we could win the double last year so why can't we do the same again with the same squad?"
He also claims a more streamlined squad does not mean players taking their place in the team for granted either.
"I still think there is competition," Whittaker added.
"We have a big enough squad and there are a couple of players to fill each position so I don't think the starting XI can become complacent and I don't think it will be a factor.
"When you are in this team, you want to be playing and that will be the case for the majority of the boys."
Deposed skipper Ferguson is perhaps the most notable departure following his move to Birmingham, but Whittaker believes Rangers already have a ready-made replacement in the shape of Kevin Thomson.
He said: "Kevin has already shown the massive influence he can have on the team and in the games we play in the time he has been at the club.
"He was a massive loss to us when we lost him last season. He has had a good pre-season and he is not far away now so we will be delighted when he is back in the team."
While it will undoubtedly be a big campaign for Thomson after spending most of last season on the sidelines, Whittaker is expecting the new season to be key for him personally.
"It's massive, I would say," he said.
"I had a good end to last season, playing every week and winning with the team.
"I'm looking forward to this season and hopefully I can carry that form into the start of the season and play most weeks."
Rangers 1/5, Draw 5/1, Falkirk 14/1
