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Scotland play Holland on March 28 - but who will win?

Football: Rangers star Whittaker can't wait for start of new season

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Published Date: 20 June 2009
By LISA GRAY
STEVEN WHITTAKER is determined to pick up where he left off when Rangers begin their preparations for the new season.
The champions report back to Murray Park in three weeks and the full-back is relishing the prospect of a return to action.

He finished the campaign strongly and had a big part to play in Rangers claiming both the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and
the Homecoming Scottish Cup.

And the former Hibs full back is now counting down the days to the visit of Falkirk on August 15, when Walter Smith's men begin the defence of the title.

He said: "I can't wait for the new season and, although we've not been off for long, I'm already looking forward to it.

"I had a good run in the team at the end of last season and I didn't really want that to end. When you are in the team, playing well and getting wins, there is nothing better.

"After missing a lot of the year through injury I was ready to keep going but I'm definitely looking forward to it all starting again.

"The Falkirk game on the opening day will be a good test.

"Like every player, I want to find a level of consistency in my performances and stay in the team. That is my main objective.

"I felt that I was playing with a lot more confidence towards the end of the season and it helps when the team is getting results.

"I think I was back to my best and, hopefully, I and the rest of the boys can get off to a flyer against Falkirk and kick on from there."

Rangers will play three games in a pre-season tour of Germany, followed by Emirates' Cup ties against Paris St Germain and Arsenal in early August.

They then travel south again to face Portsmouth in a friendly on August 8, before the action begins for real against Falkirk.

The Bairns are expected to announce Eddie May as their new manager on Tuesday, following the departure of John Hughes to SPL rivals Hibernian.

Whittaker told www.rangers.co.uk: "Falkirk will give us a tough game for us to start the new campaign and it is not a certain three points. With that said, it's a home fixture and that's always a boost for us."





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  • Last Updated: 20 June 2009 11:02 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Rangers FC
 
1

Shape to Shoot,

20/06/2009 11:29:25
Rangers' first game of the season at home to Falkirk....you would expect a comfortable win for the homeside , but these games often run contrary to expectation. A nasty old 0v0 on a drizzley afternoon would be a right minger from a rearrangerz point of view.

Any truth in the rumour that we're about to see Kirk Broadfoot on celebrity masterchef ?

: So what are you cooking for us today Kirk ?

: Well ah'm daein' a boiled egg wi' soldiers 'n' ah'm gonnae dae ma egg in the microwave ...always use a plastic bowl fur this likesae...
2

,

20/06/2009 12:05:49
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3

Daillyman,

20/06/2009 13:36:45
1 Patrick

A win by any score and the securing of 3 home points is all that will matter opening day.

Any word/rumours on the tic spending some of that war chest for new players before the qualifiers?
4

Shape to Shoot,

20/06/2009 13:48:33
3

Brian, not heard so much as a dicky bird about how much Mowbray's getting. I'll be surprised if it's much more than £5m....mind you, if his budget was fixed at £5m per year for three years, he could ask for £10m now and £2.5m for years 2 and 3...if he injected £10m into our squad now , and did so wisely, we wouldn't need much investment over the next three or four years.

Peter Grant did say that some players are definitely for the push.....hoorah! to that.
5

Daillyman,

20/06/2009 14:10:04
6 We Kid on about Bobo's loyalty bonus.

But after sitting in the stands for 2 1/2 seasons and getting 30k a week, whatever bonus he gets, he should donate it to a charitable organisation, be it in Scotland or his home nation, helping underprivileged kids.
6

Daillyman,

20/06/2009 14:12:18
Sorry lads I went off the thread topic. The TM police will be after me.
7

Private Pike,

20/06/2009 14:14:46
#6 Ignorance personified. Nothing that appears in the press or is stated by the club even begins to dent this mans confidence.

Arrogance borne out of ignorance.

He was destroyed when he was Pundit. The same will eventually happen under his new guise.

When I can be bothered.
8

Cockney Ranger,

Grays 20/06/2009 15:45:46
#1. What the fig has Kirk boiling / micro an egg got to do with the thred.
Weeks before season kicks off the anti Rangers are still talking on up the Kyber pass.

#9 Don't tell em your name,

Pot, kettle and black comes to mind the likes of idee who has more lives than a cat, with his anti Gers bile which is great to laugh at.

Hoisting the flag games are usually unpredictable SPL champions v club with new manager. I'll stand to be corrected but didn't tic slip up against Killie or scrape a dodge result passed St. Mirren last season.

Now this close season Smithy and Coisty don't have to rebuild a squad as to previous Gers starts in the last four or five years

Both sides need to raise their game otherwise you fall more behind the rest of europe which is no good for the SPL in general.
9

,

20/06/2009 16:10:02
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10

Daillyman,

20/06/2009 16:59:28
12

I thought they were playing in a pre season tournament at Wembley?

They could also try the J League for a friendly.
11

,

20/06/2009 17:46:42
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12

,

20/06/2009 17:48:45
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13

,

20/06/2009 17:51:04
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14

Cockney Ranger,

Grays 20/06/2009 18:01:13
The only logical reason the tic were invited to Wembley was for money believe it or not,Wembley must be hoping the big irish community just down the road in Kilburn Cricklewood will obliege by showing up.

One great benefit since 24th May is the lack of green and white colours around London, long may it continue.
15

,

20/06/2009 18:03:58
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16

,

20/06/2009 19:14:48
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17

Daillyman,

21/06/2009 14:57:27
Here is hoping Whittaker's season ending good form continues at the start of the new season.

 

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