enhanced by google



Miller support for Whittaker

Whittaker eager to right recent wrongs

Published: Monday, 23 November 2009, 4:22PM

Steven Whittaker admits Rangers have a major point to prove when they play host to Stuttgart in the Champions League next week.

The Scottish champions had high hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the tournament and expected their home matches to be crucial to their chances of reaching the knockout stages. Instead, Walter Smith's men have endured a torrid time at Ibrox so far, suffering 4-1 defeats to both Sevilla and Unirea Urziceni.

"It's a game we need to win if we are to stand any chance of progressing," said the Ibrox full-back. "We've got a point to prove after the last game here against Unirea. We are looking forward to putting that right."

Rangers did manage to restore some pride when they travelled to Bucharest to face Unirea in their last outing and returned to Scotland with a 1-1 draw.

A late goal from Lee McCulloch had looked set to seal a first win of the competition this season for the Glasgow giants but a superb, unstoppable strike from Marius Onofras with two minutes to go denied them the victory.

"The night was going to plan and we had put in a tremendous amount of hard work," said Whittaker.

"We got the goal that we needed and it was really just a wonder strike that cost us in the end. We were disappointed but we were happy with the performance."

Despite just two points so far - from their opening match in Stuttgart and that draw in Romania - Whittaker still has faith in Rangers' ability to defy the odds and join Sevilla in the last 16.

He said: "I believe we can win on Tuesday and then it's just a case of seeing how the results go and what we need to achieve in the last game. We are still hopeful we can do it."