Gerrard won’t be wanting a repeat of our French farce against Lyon on Thursday
Former Rangers and Scotland full-back STEVEN W
Mention of Rangers against Lyon in 2008, and his hopes for this week’s reunion in the Europa League, prompts a mixed response from Steven Whittaker.
The 37-year-old, now a coach at Dunfermline Athletic, still shudders at the memory of the French side winning 3-0 at Ibrox to send him and his team-mates crashing out of the Champions League.
By contrast, the Light Blues’ win by the same scoreline at the Stade de Gerland earlier in the group remains a cherished memory.
“The away performance and result against Lyon is definitely the one Rangers need to repeat on Thursday, not the home one,” he said.
“We went over there early on in the group off the back of a win against Stuttgart, and beat them convincingly to make it two out of two.
“It was one of those perfect nights when absolutely everything went right for us, and we blew them away.
“The goals we scored – from big Lee Mcculloch, Daniel Cousin and Damarcus Beasley were all top-quality, and we played really well, too, with Damarcus the stand-out.
“I got about half-an-hour off the bench, and I can remember just loving the experience.
“Lyon were quality, the top team in France, and very strong with the likes of Karim Benzema and
Hatem Ben Afra there at the time.
“Unfortunately, when they came to Ibrox at the end of the group, they showed us how good, by reversing the scoreline.
“We needed a draw to progress in the Champions League, and I don’t think that helped us, if I’m being honest, because we were a bit tentative.
“Lyon needed to win the game, and that determined what their approach was going to be right from the start.
“They had a real go, and managed to put us away. I played the whole game that night, and it is not the best memory.
“The silver lining, of course, was that we dropped down into
the UEFA Cup, and went on a run all the way to the Final in Manchester.”
Not so much a run as a whole campaign, with Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina all taken on and seen off.
“That was my first season at Rangers, and what a season it was,” Whittaker continued.
“It is only when you look back now that you see just what we achieved.
“To go so far on all fronts, to win both the cups here and to be runners-up in the UEFA Cup, was incredible.
“From a personal point of view, too, it was the perfect
oduction to the club. That son underlined to me again and in that, no matter who you were against, you had to have that ning mentality.
We played some huge European tches, but you always had the ing that victory was within our sp.
I’d had a little taste of it at Hibs, this was at a different level, ying in the Champions League. The goal I got in Lisbon in the rter-finals was probably the gest I ever scored in terms of occasion.
I scored one of the penalties he shoot-out in the semi-final inst Fiorentina, but from open y that was right up there.
“Obviously things never went to plan in the Final against Zenit St Petersburg, which was a shame as we really believed we could bring the trophy back to Scotland.
“The volume of games maybe cost us a little bit in the league, with Celtic able to leapfrog us three games out, and then hold on to win the title.
“But, all in all, what a successful season it was. I think it showed what is possible when you work as a team, and stick to doing what you are good at.
“In our case, that was working hard, being solid and hitting teams on the break.
“I think this Rangers team under Steven Gerrard has competed really well in Europe, and has done a lot to keep the co-efficient up. The big competitions are where they belong, and it is great to see them back involved.
“Ibrox in the midweek European games – with the floodlights on and the big names in the opposition – is a special place to be, and everyone involved this week will be excited about the prospect.
“Rangers have already shown they are capable of beating this
calibre of team, of progressing in the competitions and I am sure they will be ready for this test too.
“These games sometimes turn on small margins, but I hope they get the result they need.”
Rangers are not the only one of his former teams who Whittaker has been following with close interest.
The man who earned 30 Scotland caps said: “I am really enjoying watching the national side right now. We can see the togetherness in the team.
“I have been cheering them on the same as any other fan.
“Getting to the Euros was fantastic, and now we have a real chance to qualify for the World Cup as well.
“To beat Austria and Moldova the way we did – and to pick up six points out of the nine on offer recently – was a terrific achievement, and it has really set the group up.”
A former right-back himself, he has been struck by the amount of interest in the position under Steve Clarke.
“Stephen O’donnell has done great for the country, and we now have young Nathan Patterson coming in, who looks a real exciting
talent,” said Whittaker. “The experience he will continue to get with Rangers is only going to help his international prospects.
“And, of course, on the other side of the park we have Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, who will be there for a few years yet.
“Speaking of those two, I would like to see a bit more understanding being given to the lads who have to switch wings at times to help the team out.
“It is a wee bit like the situation with myself and Alan Hutton, who were both vying to play at right-back.
“I ended up playing at left-back a few times for Scotland because of that.
“I might have been slightly different because I had always been OK with both feet. I did have that in my armoury, if you like.
“But I know what it is like to change to the other side of the pitch, and it is not as easy as everybody might think.
“You are talking about players having to fill in for positions where they are not accustomed to playing. Yet they still get assessed on their performance the same as everyone else.
“Things like running back, having to open up on your weak side, having to pass on your weak foot – it is all different, and it does limit you.”
Now retired as a player himself, making such allowances is all part of Whittaker’s day job with Dunfermline.
“Coaching is great. It is something I have always wanted to do,” he said.
“You are still with the staff and the players, and seeing them every day. So that helps ease the blow of not getting out there on the pitch.
“I probably miss the chance to get out and compete more than anything.
“You are preparing the team rather than yourself, but it is good.
“We have not had the start we wanted at Dunfermline, but we still have big belief in the players and that we can get the results we require.
“The Championship is very competitive this season, and I think everyone is going to drop plenty of points along the way.”