Steven Whittaker left Rangers after their 2012 financial crisis – but with his contract at Norwich City expiring a return to Ibrox can’t be ruled out.
With his contract Norwich City running down, it appears that Steven Whittaker could return to his homeland this summer. The Sun reports that Neil Lennon’s newly promoted Hibernian could offer the out-of-contract 32-year-old another chance in the Scottish Premiership – a decade after he swapped Easter Road for Ibrox.
However, if Whittaker is to return to one of his former clubs in the summer, why not Rangers? The 31-time Scotland international played over 200 games for the Glasgow giants, winning three successive Scottish Premiership titles in a bygone golden era.
These days, after a financial crisis meant they were plummeted into the fourth tier in 2012, Pedro Caixinha’s side could hardly be further away from Celtic’s domestic dominance. A humiliating 5-1 home defeat to their Old Firm rivals merely highlighted the chasm between these traditional enemies.
Though Whittaker’s return would at least be a step in the right direction. His best years may be behind him but his vast experience and the winning mentality forged during five seasons at Ibrox means he would be an excellent example to young defenders David Bates and Myles Beerman.
Furthermore, with Lee Hodson linked with a return to England with Charlton Athletic after starting just one game under Pedro Caixinha, as reported by The Sun, Rangers may be in need of reinforcements at right-back.
And signing Whittaker on a free should appeal to the cash-strapped Gers, allowing Caixinha to set aside the remainder of his budget to improve other areas of the squad.
The question, however, is whether supporters would forgive him for the nature of his exit in 2012.
“It doesn’t look like Rangers will be in the SPL and there’s no European football,” Whittaker told the BBC. “We owe no loyalty to the new club. There is no history there for us.”
The glory days may have gone for now but signing Whittaker would at least ensure Rangers are a little more solid going forward.
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