Whittaker wants to be Rangers spearhead

Steven Whittaker has told Rangers manager Walter Smith he can be the answer to the Ibrox club’s striker crisis as they prepare to face Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

The utility man struck a double in extra-time at Ibrox on Tuesday to sink Hamilton’s Scottish Cup hopes.

The win booked their place in the last 16 of the competition but came at a price with forwards Nacho Novo and Kenny Miller both limping out with injuries.

And with top scorer Kris Boyd already out following a hernia operation and Steven Naismith still struggling for fitness it leaves Smith with few options up front.

It means youngsters John Fleck or Andrew Little could partner Kyle Lafferty, who has shaken off a flu bug, although Novo has a fighting chance of making Saturday’s clash.

However Whittaker, who has struck eight goals this season, says he could fill in up front in a game that could see Rangers open up a 12-point lead at the top.

“In my younger days I played up front,” Whittaker said.

“I played off the front two when I was a youth player, but then I gradually worked my way wide to either right, left or full-back.

“I have filled in at various positions before for Rangers. It’s nice for other people to chip in with some goals – myself included. I’m now creeping up towards double figures and hopefully I can reach that before the end of the season – especially with some of the strikers injured.”

Hearts, who have recovered from a poor start to the season to occupy fifth spot, could welcome back Marius Zaliukas and Jose Gonclaves from injury but Craig Thomson is out following surgery.

Tony Mowbray takes his Celtic side to Perth to take on St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Hoops boss has come under fire following his side’s 1-1 draw with bottom club Falkirk last weekend which saw Celtic slip nine points behind Rangers, although they have a game in hand.

Mowbray is still without Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney, Daniel Fox and top scorer Scott McDonald through injury and captain Stephen McManus is also struggling.

However, central defenders Jos Hooiveld and Thomas Rogne could be in line to make their debuts and Ki Sung-Yeung will look to add to his impressive first showing against Falkirk.

Elsewhere on Saturday, interim Motherwell manager Craig Brown will be hoping his side can bounce back from their Scottish Cup defeat to First Division side Inverness Caledonian Thistle as they take on St Mirren at Fir Park.

Aberdeen welcome former manager Jimmy Calderwood, now in charge of Kilmarnock, back to Pittodrie for their clash with the Ayrshire side.

Hibernian will be aiming to regain third spot from Dundee United as they welcome Hamilton to Easter Road.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock, Hibernian v Hamilton, Motherwell v St Mirren (1230), Rangers v Hearts

Sunday

Falkirk v Dundee United (1315), St Johnstone v Celtic (1530)