Source: Team_Talk
Whittaker makes Bougherra appeal
Bougherra was shown a straight red card by Dougal, on the advice of assistant Graham Chambers, after sliding in and catching Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield in the face.
Aberdeen full-back Charlie Mulgrew was also controversially sent off in the first half of Rangers' 2-1 victory and both clubs are expected to launch appeals.
Bougherra faces missing out on on a potential title-clincher, when Rangers travel to Tannadice searching for the three points they need to guarantee the SPL trophy.
And Whittaker has provided a first-hand witness statement backing up the Algerian.
He told Rangers World: "I passed the ball to Madjid, just tried to slip it through the defence and he made the run around the back.
"It looked to me as though he was entitled to go for the ball.
"I don't know what the linesman has seen, he was obviously saying that Madjid has followed through. But it looked pretty honest to me.
"It would be (a big blow to lose him). He has been a big player for us, he has been great this season, and hopefully we can get it overturned."
Mulgrew's red card, which also came on the advice of Chambers, was even more contentious after Kyle Lafferty fell theatrically as the pair went head to head.
If any appeal fails, Mulgrew will miss out on Aberdeen's crucial last match with Hibernian, which will see them qualify for the Europa League if they win and United lose.
Rangers manager Walter Smith was "disappointed" with the reaction and vowed to have words with the Northern Ireland international.
And Mulgrew's Dons team-mate Gary McDonald was scathing over the Rangers player's behaviour.
"It was a joke," McDonald told RedTV.
"Lafferty should be embarrassed. The TV cameras were there and they will show exactly what he's done. I saw it with my own eyes.
"He just fell over like a big girl's blouse. That's why it's so hard to take, Charlie's season is going to be over.
"Why he has done that I don't know because he's actually the one that went to Charlie initially and then he just fell over. He has to have a look at himself."
Rangers took control of the game with two goals in as many minutes midway through the second half, Richard Foster putting Kenny Miller's cross into his own net before the Rangers striker headed home a corner.
Aberdeen youngster Michael Paton pulled one back and McDonald felt they deserved better.
"I thought we played really well," the midfielder added.
"The vast majority of the game we outplayed Rangers and passed the ball really well.
"I can't remember being so comfortable at Ibrox, but it's not gone for us again and it's extremely disappointing.
"The chances were there for us. I felt they were there for the taking."
