Home Is Where The Heart Is

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STEVEN WHITTAKER believes the Rangers fans can play a major part in helping the club move to the top of the SPL in the next two weeks.

 

Fans at the Scottish Cup FinalThe in-form full back was delighted his side were handed back-to-back home fixtures after the split and insists their support can be the equivalent of a twelfth man when Hearts and Celtic visit the stadium.

 

Walter Smith's men are now at the business end of a dramatic season and go in to the final month high in confidence having won their last four league games on the bounce.

 

But the big tests now lie ahead and Whittaker is fully aware that the team has to show a ruthless streak which, at times, has been missing throughout the campaign.

 

Only last month the Jambos travelled down the M8 for a second time in 2008/09 and, having gone two goals up in a one-sided opening 45 minutes, the Light Blues allowed the visitors back in to the game; an opportunity they gratefully took with both hands.

 

The 2-2 draw was a painful reminder of just how thin the line is between success and failure in the championship race and it highlighted the level of focus that will required from every Rangers player if the League title is to Steven Whittaker celebrates his goal with Pedro Mendes be secured.

 

Steven said: "Our last game against Hearts was definitely a frustrating one as we played really well in the first-half and went in two goals up at the interval.

 

"We were well on top but lost our way in the second and they punished us.

 

"Looking back that result was disappointing for everyone but I think we have learned from it and we were perhaps lucky that we have been able to recover and get back in a decent position in the league.

 

"If we are drop points like that now it will be very costly and there might not be any way back.

 

"But I don't think we can have many complaints about the fixtures we have after the split as we have two massive home games coming up first.

 

Steven Whittaker scores against Hibs"It's crucial we make the most of this advantage and the fact we have 50,000 fans behind us against Hearts this weekend and then Celtic will give all the boys a massive lift."

 

The Jambos have enjoyed a superb season under the guidance of Hungarian gaffer Csaba Laszlo who has brought a mental toughness to a side that was in need of direction.

 

The Tynecastle club is now on the verge of clinching a Europa League slot but still faces stiff competition from Dundee United and Jimmy Calderwood's Aberdeen who take on league leaders Celtic on Saturday at Parkhead.

 

Whittaker has been hugely impressed by the strides made by the Gorgie outfit in the past ten months but is confident Rangers can increase their recent impressive run.

 

He said: "There is no doubt Hearts have talented players in their squad and they have done really well this season.

 

"Guys like Andy Driver and Bruno Aguiar have a lot of ability and can create and score goals.

 

"But you can see from their games that they work hard for each other and the manager had made them difficult to beat.

 

"They lost Christophe (Berra) there and he was a big player for them, a leader, but that it says a lot that they have pushed on and look good to secure third place in the league.

 

"Tynecastle is never an easy place to go to but the fact we are playing them at home should give us an advantage and I am confident we can get all three points on Sunday."

 

With Kirk Broadfoot still sidelined with a foot injury Whittaker will be a key figure in Walter Smith's plans for forthcoming games and the defender has been delighted that fringe stars such as Mo Edu, Steven Smith and Steven Smith trains with Steven Davis and Steven Whittaker Andrius Velicka have also come in and proved their worth to the Gers' squad.

 

He said: "I think these lads have been brilliant for us.

 

"Mo has not featured a lot for us this season and the same can be said for Andrius but both of them have enjoyed a wee spell in the team now and have played well and scored goals.

 

"This will have helped their confidence a lot. I am not surprised that big Andrius has come in and done well; in training he has shown that he can finish and now he is getting the chance to take that in to games.

 

"Steven Smith is another who has come in after being out for so long and you can see how much it means to him to be back in the team at this stage of the season.

 

"He always gives 100 per cent and his performances have been a big boost for the team.

 

Steven Whittaker celebrates his goal"He may not have played on the left side of midfield a lot but he delivers a great cross and definitely gives the manager a different option for this position."

 

This weekend's game against Hearts will be Whittaker's ninth start in a row and he is relishing being part of the club's title charge.

 

He said: "It has been great being involved recently and as a player this is the situation you want to be in.

 

"Every game is a cup final right now and we are still in with a real chance of winning two trophies.

 

"It's an old saying but right now all we can do is take it one game at a time.

 

"I have heard a lot of people saying the Celtic game is the big one but they are all big and we have to try and win them all.

 

"On Sunday we have a big test against a Hearts team that have enjoyed a terrific season. Our first aim has to be to get three points there and then we can focus on Celtic."