Steven Whittaker
Encyclopedia
Steven Gordon Whittaker (born 16 June 1984) is a Scottish association footballer who currently plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League
club Rangers
and the Scotland national side
.
Whittaker began his career with Hibernian
and made over 170 appearances for the Easter Road
side. He also won the League Cup in 2007 before signing for Rangers in August that year.
and Derek Riordan
in signing for Hibernian
from Hutchison Vale Boys Club. He made his debut against St. Johnstone in a 1–0 win on 12 May 2002. In the 2002-03 season
, he went on to make further six first-team appearances before finally become a regular starter the season after. Due to Whittaker lacking a defined position his form suffered as he was deployed at right-back and across the midfield under Bobby Williamson
. He scored his first career goal against Partick Thistle
in a 3–2 win on 3 January 2004. He was an unused subsitutite when Hibernian lost the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final
.
The arrival of Tony Mowbray
later that year saw Whittaker confirmed in the team's right back role, and with this new certainty, he flourished, becoming a regular in the Scotland Under–21
team and helping Hibernian to a third place league finish. Whittaker was a regular in the Hibs teams of both Mowbray and John Collins, and was in the side that won the 2007 League Cup Final
. He made 174 appearances in all competitions for Hibs, scoring five goals.
on 1 August 2007, signing a five-year contract. He was given the number 28 shirt and started his first game for Rangers on 18 August 2007 against Falkirk
in the Scottish Premier League
and marked his debut with the second goal in a 7–2 win for Rangers. Having been deployed mostly at left back during the first half of the season, Whittaker established himself as first-choice right back after Alan Hutton
's departure to Tottenham Hotspur
in January 2008. Whittaker scored the second goal of Rangers 2–0 win over Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup quarter-final second-leg on 10 April 2008. He picked the ball up on the halfway line and weaved past several players before capping it off with a cool finish. He stated after the match that it was the best goal of his career.
For the 2009–10 season, Whittaker was given number 16 and scored 11 goals in all competitions as Rangers won both the league title and the League Cup
.
Whittaker signed a new five-year contract with Rangers in July 2011, after the club had rejected bids from Turkish
club Bursaspor
. During the UEFA champions league qualifers against Malmo FF, he was sent off for throwing the ball at an opponent player after receiving a poor tackle.
squad, and in October 2006 he was added to the full Scotland
squad for the Euro 2008 qualifying match against Ukraine
, although he did not feature in the match. Whittaker was then called into the Scotland B side to face Republic of Ireland's B team on 20 November 2007. He played 68 minutes before being replaced by Ross McCormack
. He also played in the goalless draw between those two sides in November 2006.
He made his debut for the full national side
on 12 August 2009, in a 4–0 defeat to Norway
. His second appearance came in the 2–0 victory over Macedonia, when he came on for the injured Callum Davidson
.
Rangers
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and the Scotland national side
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Whittaker began his career with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and made over 170 appearances for the Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
side. He also won the League Cup in 2007 before signing for Rangers in August that year.
Hibernian
On 1 August 2000, Whittaker joined the likes of Kenny MillerKenny Miller
Kenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team...
and Derek Riordan
Derek Riordan
Derek George Riordan is a Scottish footballer who plays as a forward. He has been capped three times by the Scotland national football team. Riordan started his career with Hibernian in 2001 and had a brief spell on loan with Cowdenbeath in 2003...
in signing for Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
from Hutchison Vale Boys Club. He made his debut against St. Johnstone in a 1–0 win on 12 May 2002. In the 2002-03 season
2002-03 in Scottish football
The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and...
, he went on to make further six first-team appearances before finally become a regular starter the season after. Due to Whittaker lacking a defined position his form suffered as he was deployed at right-back and across the midfield under Bobby Williamson
Bobby Williamson
Robert "Bobby" Williamson is a former association footballer who is currently manager of the Uganda national football team. He previously managed Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League and Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Championship.-Playing career:As a player, Williamson...
. He scored his first career goal against Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
in a 3–2 win on 3 January 2004. He was an unused subsitutite when Hibernian lost the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final
2004 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2004 Scottish Cup Final was played on 14 March 2004, at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 57th Scottish League Cup. The final was contested by Hibernian and Livingston. Livingston won the match 2–0, thanks to goals from Derek Lilley and Jamie McAllister.-Match details:...
.
The arrival of Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray
Anthony Mark "Tony" Mowbray is an English former professional football player, who is currently the manager of Middlesbrough...
later that year saw Whittaker confirmed in the team's right back role, and with this new certainty, he flourished, becoming a regular in the Scotland Under–21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
team and helping Hibernian to a third place league finish. Whittaker was a regular in the Hibs teams of both Mowbray and John Collins, and was in the side that won the 2007 League Cup Final
2007 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2007 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 18 March 2007 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the 60th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Kilmarnock and Hibernian, who had never met before in a Cup Final...
. He made 174 appearances in all competitions for Hibs, scoring five goals.
Rangers
Whittaker completed a £2m move to RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
on 1 August 2007, signing a five-year contract. He was given the number 28 shirt and started his first game for Rangers on 18 August 2007 against Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
in the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and marked his debut with the second goal in a 7–2 win for Rangers. Having been deployed mostly at left back during the first half of the season, Whittaker established himself as first-choice right back after Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton is a Scottish footballer who plays for Aston Villa and the Scotland national football team.-Rangers:...
's departure to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
in January 2008. Whittaker scored the second goal of Rangers 2–0 win over Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup quarter-final second-leg on 10 April 2008. He picked the ball up on the halfway line and weaved past several players before capping it off with a cool finish. He stated after the match that it was the best goal of his career.
For the 2009–10 season, Whittaker was given number 16 and scored 11 goals in all competitions as Rangers won both the league title and the League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
.
Whittaker signed a new five-year contract with Rangers in July 2011, after the club had rejected bids from Turkish
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
club Bursaspor
Bursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
. During the UEFA champions league qualifers against Malmo FF, he was sent off for throwing the ball at an opponent player after receiving a poor tackle.
International career
Whittaker was a regular for the Scotland U21Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
squad, and in October 2006 he was added to the full Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
squad for the Euro 2008 qualifying match against Ukraine
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
, although he did not feature in the match. Whittaker was then called into the Scotland B side to face Republic of Ireland's B team on 20 November 2007. He played 68 minutes before being replaced by Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack
Ross McCormack is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for English football club Leeds United and the Scotland national team. His main position is as a Striker but he can also play as a Winger....
. He also played in the goalless draw between those two sides in November 2006.
He made his debut for the full national side
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on 12 August 2009, in a 4–0 defeat to Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
. His second appearance came in the 2–0 victory over Macedonia, when he came on for the injured Callum Davidson
Callum Davidson
Callum Ian Davidson is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as a left back for St. Johnstone of the Scottish Premier League. He signed for the Perthshire SPL club on 26 May 2011.-Club career:...
.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Hibernian Hibernian F.C. Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts... |
2001–02 2001-02 in Scottish football The 2001–02 season was the 105th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:Celtic, domestic treble winners a year earlier, retain their Premier League title.... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002–03 2002-03 in Scottish football The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2003–04 2003-04 in Scottish football The 2003–04 season was the 107th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2003–04 Scottish Premier League season was won by Celtic with 98 points, 17 points ahead of closest challengers Rangers. Both Rangers and Celtic therefore gained the two UEFA... |
28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2004–05 2004-05 in Scottish football The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman... Totals include match Vetra 1–0 Hibs. Whittaker started the match per the BBC match report, but his appearance is not recorded by soccerbase |
37 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 2 | |
| 2005–06 2005-06 in Scottish football The 2005–06 season was the 109th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2005:*1 June: Gordon Strachan officially takes charge of Celtic after the resignation of Martin O'Neill... |
34 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2006–07 2006-07 in Scottish football The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and... |
35 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 49 | 1 | |
| Total | 141 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 174 | 5 | |
| Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
2007–08 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... Totals include match Werder 1–0 Rangers. Whittaker was used as a substitute per the BBC match report, but it is not recorded by soccerbase. |
30 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 48 | 5 |
| 2008–09 2008-09 in Scottish football The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the... Totals include both matches versus FBK Kaunas FBK Kaunas Kauno futbolo beisbolo klubas is a Lithuanian football club from the city of Kaunas, that currently plays in the A Lyga, the top level of Lithuanian football.- History :... . Whittaker started both legs per the BBC match reports (1st leg)(2nd leg), but it is not recorded by soccerbase (1st leg); (2nd leg). |
24 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 3 | |
| 2009–10 | 35 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 50 | 11 | |
| 2010–11 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 52 | 7 | |
| 2011–12 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| Total | 139 | 17 | 18 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 29 | 2 | 198 | 26 | |
| Career Total | 280 | 21 | 33 | 7 | 22 | 1 | 37 | 2 | 372 | 31 | |
Honours
HibernianHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(1): 20072007 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2007 Scottish League Cup Final was played on 18 March 2007 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the 60th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Kilmarnock and Hibernian, who had never met before in a Cup Final...
Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
(3): 2009Scottish Premier League 2008-09The 2008–09 Scottish Premier League season was the eleventh season of the Scottish Premier League and the second season under the sponsorship of the Clydesdale Bank...
, 2010, 20112010–11 Scottish Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Scottish Premier League was the thirteenth season of the Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish football. It commenced on 14 August 2010 and ended on 15 May 2011...
-
-
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
(2): 20082008 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2008 Scottish Cup Final was a football match which took place at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 24 May 2008. The match was the final of the 123rd Scottish Cup and was contested by Queen of the South and Rangers. Queen of the South beat Aberdeen 4–3 in their semi-final, Rangers beat St...
, 20092009 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2009 Scottish Cup Final was the final of the 124th season of the main domestic football cup competition in Scotland, the Scottish Cup. The final was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 30 May 2009...
- Scottish Cup
-
- Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(3): 20082008 Scottish League Cup Final-Statistics:-References:...
, 20102010 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...
, 20112011 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2011 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Scottish League Cup, the 64th season of the Scottish League Cup. It was played by Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers. Rangers won the trophy after extra time 2–1.-Celtic:...
- Scottish League Cup
-