Source: Team_Talk
Whittaker welcomes busy schedule
Steven Whittaker says Rangers' players have no complaints about their hectic schedule as the big games continue to come thick and fast.[LNB] Next up for Walter Smith's men is a trip to Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday as they attempt to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition this season.[LNB]The Scottish champions were held to a 1-1 draw by the Spaniards at Ibrox in a match they felt unfortunate not to win, before defeating Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season.[LNB]They then overcame Kilmarnock in the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Wednesday, before hosting Inverness in the SPL at the weekend.[LNB]Despite little respite on offer as Rangers continue to battle on several fronts, Whittaker insists everyone in the dressing room is relishing the challenge.[LNB]"We are happy to play our football and get as many games as we can," said the full-back.[LNB]"As long as the fitness is good and we are injury-free, we will be looking to play as many games as we can.[LNB]"Training and things like that will be taken into consideration as we try to keep as fresh as possible.[LNB]"We can only do the best we can when the games come around and I'm sure we will be looked after."[LNB]Whittaker believes the camaraderie within the team has made a big difference too, following decent results against Manchester United, Bursaspor and Valencia.[LNB]He added: "We've always had a closeness in the our squad and I think that shows on the pitch with the way we dig in for each other. It's just fantastic to play here."[LNB]Walter Smith has voiced concerns about the ability of his small squad to cope with the demands of European and domestic football if they pick up too many injuries and suspensions.[LNB]But he maintains he was right to opt for quality, rather than quantity, when given money to strengthen his pool in the summer.[LNB]"It's a gamble I was prepared to take," Smith said. "We've done that and people can look and say, if we do have a lot of injuries, that it was the wrong decision.[LNB]"Part of my job is to keep as high a quality of player at the club as possible.[LNB]"It is an awkward decision to make knowing the consequences could be detrimental to your opportunities of winning the league championship, but I still feel it's the best thing.[LNB]"From the club's point of view, and Scottish football's point of view, we have to try and keep as high a level of player as we can."[LNB]Smith is just disappointed that £4million signing Nikica Jelavic and fellow summer recruit James Beattie are both injured at the moment.[LNB]He added: "We've had a smaller group and we've added to it but we've not really had the benefit.[LNB]"Vladmir Weiss has come in and played very well for us. James Beattie and Nikica Jelavic have both only had a couple of appearances so it's been a bit frustrating that's been the case.[LNB]"But you would expect injuries. If you run at a couple of injuries a week, you're doing well. It's just been frustrating it has been the newer players who have missed out."
