Steven Whittaker

Steven Gordon Whittaker (born 16 June 1984) is a Scottish football coach and former player, who played as a defender.

Steven Whittaker
Whittaker in 2011
Personal information
Full name Steven Gordon Whittaker[1]
Date of birth (1984-06-16) 16 June 1984
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Hutchison Vale[2][3]
2000–2002 Hibernian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2007 Hibernian 141 (4)
2007–2012 Rangers 150 (19)
2012–2017 Norwich City 90 (5)
2017–2020 Hibernian 48 (2)
2020–2021 Dunfermline Athletic 18 (0)
Total 447 (30)
International career
2004–2006 Scotland U21 18 (1)
2009–2016 Scotland 31 (0)
Managerial career
2021 Dunfermline Athletic (interim manager)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Whittaker began his career with Hibernian and made over 170 appearances in his first spell with the Easter Road side. He also won the Scottish League Cup in 2007 before signing for Rangers in August that year. Whittaker won three Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups with Rangers. At the start of the 2012–13 season, he signed for Norwich City on a free transfer. After five years with Norwich, Whittaker returned to Hibernian in 2017, before moving to Dunfermline Athletic in 2020 in what would be his final season as a player.

He made 31 international appearances for the Scotland national team between 2009 and 2016.

Club career

Hibernian

Despite being a boyhood Hearts fan,[4] Whittaker joined Kenny Miller and Derek Riordan in signing for Hibernian from the Hutchison Vale Boys Club.[5][6] He made his debut against St Johnstone in a 1–0 win on 12 May 2002.[7] In the 2002–03 season, he went on to make further six first-team appearances before finally becoming a regular starter the following season. 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.[8] He was an unused substitute 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.[9] He made 174 appearances in all competitions for Hibs, scoring five goals.

Rangers

Whittaker completed a £2 million move to Rangers on 1 August 2007, signing a five-year contract.[10] 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, marking his debut with the second goal in a 7–2 win for Rangers.[11] 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 CP in the UEFA Cup quarter-final second-leg on 10 April 2008.[12] He picked the ball up on the halfway line and "danced through the Sporting defence" before scoring.[12]

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. His goal tally was aided by regularly taking penalties.[13]

Whittaker signed a new five-year contract with Rangers in July 2011, after the club had rejected bids from Turkish club Bursaspor.[14] During a UEFA Champions League qualifier against Swedish club Malmö FF, he was sent off for throwing the ball at an opponent player after receiving a poor tackle.

Rangers entered administration in February 2012 and were subsequently liquidated. Charles Green, who bought the business and assets of Rangers from the administrator, attempted to transfer the player contracts to a new Rangers company.[15] Whittaker was one of several players to object to this proposal.[15] PFA Scotland had previously commented that players were entitled to become free agents if they objected to the transfer.[16] Whittaker explained himself in a news conference, saying, "I'm 28 and I want to play at the top level for as much as I can. It doesn't look like Rangers will be in the SPL and there's no European football. We owe no loyalty to the new club. There is no history there for us."[15]

Norwich City

Whittaker signed for English Premier League club Norwich City on 30 June 2012, signing a four-year deal.[17] On 20 July, Whittaker received provisional international clearance from FIFA that allowed him to play while arbitration over his move from Rangers continued.[18]

Whittaker suffered an ankle injury during a friendly match against Celtic,[19] which caused him to miss the start of the 2012–13 Premier League season. Two months after receiving his ankle injury, he described it as the worst of his career.[20] He made his competitive debut for Norwich on 31 October, playing at right back in a 2–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur. A few days later, Whittaker made his league debut for the club, playing at right back and stayed on the pitch for 90 minutes, in a 1–0 win over Stoke City. After making his debut, Whittaker said he was pleased to make his debut with a win.[21] The following month, on 8 December 2012, Whittaker scored his first goal in his Premier League career after an assist from Robert Snodgrass in a 4–3 win over Swansea City.[22]

Whittaker scored in the opening game of the 2013–14 Premier League season with a goal against Everton. His blasted shot struck the post and bounced back out, but he beat Tim Howard to the rebound to tap it back in. He also assisted debuting teammate Ricky van Wolfswinkel; Whittaker sliced a shot with his foot which floated toward Van Wolfswinkel, who was free to head-in the goal.[23] Norwich were relegated in 2013–14, but Whittaker played regularly in 2014–15 as they were promoted by winning the play-off final. Whittaker set up one of the goals in the final.[24]

Whittaker received his first red card in a league game against Southampton in August 2015; he was booked for blocking Matt Targett from taking a throw-in, and three minutes later, received a second yellow (and consequently a red) for grappling Dušan Tadić's shirt during a challenge.[25] Following Whittaker's sending-off, Norwich were defeated 3–0.[26] Norwich were again relegated in 2015–16, while Whittaker played less frequently for their first team. In May 2017, Norwich announced that Whittaker would be released at the end of his contract.[24]

Hibernian (second spell)

On 15 July 2017, Whittaker rejoined Hibernian on a three-year deal.[27] He scored a goal in his second league debut for Hibs, a 3–1 win against Partick Thistle on 5 August.[28]

A hip injury prevented Whittaker from playing during the latter part of the 2018–19 season.[29]

After Paul Heckingbottom was sacked as head coach in November 2019, Whittaker assisted caretaker manager Eddie May.[30] After four months out of the team, Whittaker was used as a defensive midfielder in both matches of a Scottish Cup tie with Dundee United in January 2020.[31] Whittaker was one of three first team players released by Hibs at the end of the 2019–20 season.[32]

Dunfermline Athletic

Following his release from Hibernian, Whittaker signed a one-year deal with Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athetlic, which would also see him take up a position as a coach with the side.[33][34] In June 2021 it was announced that Whittaker had retired from playing in order to take up a full-time coaching position with Dunfermline.[35]

International career
Whittaker playing for Scotland in 2011

Whittaker was a regular for the Scotland under-21 squad. 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.[36] Whittaker was then called into the Scotland B side to face a Republic of Ireland B team on 20 November 2007.[37] He played 68 minutes before being replaced by Ross McCormack.[38] He also played in the goalless draw between those two sides in November 2006.[39]

He made his debut for the full national side on 12 August 2009, in a 4–0 defeat to Norway.[40] His second appearance came in the 2–0 victory over Macedonia, when he came on for the injured Callum Davidson.[41] Whittaker earned 31 caps up to March 2016. He dropped out of the squad as he lost his place at Norwich, but was recalled in September 2017.[42]

Coaching career

Whittaker, who had been a coach at Dunfermline Athletic when he retired as a player, became joint interim manager (along with Greg Shields) of the club after Peter Grant left the club.[43] Shields and Whittaker were in charge for two matches, before John Hughes was appointed on a permanent basis.[44]

On 13 May 2022 Whittaker joined Fleetwood Town as assistant manager, working with his former Hibs and Scotland teammate Scott Brown. Whittaker and Brown were sacked by Fleetwood in September 2023.[45]

Career statistics

Club
As of 8 May 2021[46][47]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hibernian 2001–02 Scottish Premier League 1000000010
2002–03 Scottish Premier League 600000—60
2003–04 Scottish Premier League 2811040—331
2004–05[nb 1] Scottish Premier League 371412020452
2005–06 Scottish Premier League 341400020401
2006–07 Scottish Premier League 351604040491
Total 1414151100801745
Rangers 2007–08[nb 2] Scottish Premier League 304603091485
2008–09[nb 3] Scottish Premier League 242411020313
2009–10 Scottish Premier League 3575341605011
2010–11 Scottish Premier League 3643230101527
2011–12 Scottish Premier League 252001020282
Total 1501918612129220928
Norwich City 2012–13 Premier League 1310010—141
2013–14 Premier League 2012031—252
2014–15 Championship 372102030432
2015–16 Premier League 810010—91
2016–17 Championship 120112020171
Total 9054191501087
Hibernian 2017–18 Scottish Premiership 2620050—312
2018–19[nb 4] Scottish Premiership 150202040230
2019–20 Scottish Premiership 704040—150
Total 4826011040692
Dunfermline Athletic 2020–21 Scottish Championship 180103020240
Career total 4473044845248258442
    1. Totals include match Vetra 1–0 Hibs. Whittaker started the match per the BBC match report, but his appearance is not recorded by soccerbase
    2. 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.
    3. Totals include both matches versus FBK Kaunas. Whittaker started both legs per the BBC match reports (1st leg)(2nd leg), but it is not recorded by soccerbase (1st leg); (2nd leg).
    4. Soccerbase did not record appearances made by Whittaker against NSI Runavik on 19 July and Asteras Tripolis on 26 July and 2 August 2018.

    International appearances
    Scotland national team[48]
    YearAppsGoals
    200940
    201050
    201150
    201220
    201370
    201450
    201520
    201610
    Total310

    Managerial statistics
    As of match played on 13 November 2021
    Managerial record by team and tenure
    Team From To Record
    PWDLWin %
    Dunfermline Athletic[Note 1] 31 October 2021 15 November 2021 2 1 0 1 050.0
    Total 550 218 123 209 039.6
    1. Joint caretaker manager with Greg Shields

    Honours

    Hibernian

    Rangers

    Norwich City

    References
    1. The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-95485-561-1.
    2. "Smith reveals ethos behind Hutchie success". The Scotsman. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
    3. "Ex Hutchison Vale Players Now Senior Clubs". Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale F.C. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
    4. Ralston, Gary (22 October 2011). "I grew up a Jambo but now my heart is at Rangers, says Steven Whittaker". Daily Record. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
    5. Scottish Football League (October 2004). The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2004/05. CRE8. ISBN 0-9548556-0-4.
    6. "HIBERNIAN : 1946/47 – 2008/09". Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
    7. "Sad end for Saints". BBC Sport. 12 May 2002.
    8. "Hibernian 3–2 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 3 January 2004.
    9. "Whittaker completes return to Hibs". BBC Sport.
    10. "Whittaker in £2m Rangers switch". BBC Sport. 1 August 2007.
    11. "Rangers 7–2 Falkirk". BBC Sport. 18 August 2007.
    12. "Sporting 0–2 Rangers". BBC Sport. 10 April 2008.
    13. "Whittaker happy to be put on the spot". STV Sport. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
    14. "Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker pen long-term deals". BBC Sport. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
    15. "Rangers: Steven Naismith & Steven Whittaker oppose newco transfer". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
    16. "Rangers: Players free not to join 'newco' says law expert". BBC Sport. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
    17. "CITY SWOOP FOR WHITTAKER". canaries.co.uk. Norwich City FC. 30 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
    18. "Video: Steven Whittaker gets Fifa clearance to join Norwich City". Norwich Evening News. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
    19. "Steven Whittaker to miss start of season for Norwich". BBC Sport. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
    20. "Steven Whittaker is ready to get stuck in for Norwich City". Norwich Evening News. 31 October 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
    21. "Norwich City defender Steven Whittaker pleased to make Premier League debut". Sky Sports. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
    22. "Swansea 3 – 4 Norwich". BBC Sport. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
    23. "Norwich 2-2 Everton". 17 August 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
    24. "Norwich City: John Ruddy & Sebastien Bassong among seven released by Canaries". BBC Sport. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
    25. Penderville, Liam (30 August 2015). "Jonathan Moss shows Steven Whittaker his notebook instead of red card during Norwich's defeat to Southampton". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
    26. Pitt-Brooke, Jack (30 August 2015). "Southampton vs Norwich City match report: Ronald Koeman delights in magic of Sadio Mane while Victor Wanyama refuses to play". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
    27. "WHITTAKER JOINS ON A THREE YEAR DEAL". Hibernian FC. 15 July 2017.
    28. Sutherland, Jonathan (5 August 2017). "Hibernian 3–1 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
    29. Hardie, David (1 July 2019). "Marc McNulty still in the radar of Hibs". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
    30. McLauchlin, Brian (4 November 2019). "Hibernian: Paul Heckingbottom sacked as head coach". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
    31. Brown, Anthony (28 January 2020). "Three takeaways from Hibs' Scottish Cup win over Dundee United". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
    32. "Hibernian: Steven Whittaker among those exiting Easter Road". BBC Sport. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
    33. "Steven Whittaker signs for Dunfermline". Dunfermline Athletic FC. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
    34. "Dunfermline Athletic: Steven Whittaker & Paul Watson sign". BBC Sport. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
    35. "Back Room Staff Update". Dunfermline Athletic FC. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
    36. "Whittaker called into Scots squad". BBC Sport. 9 October 2006.
    37. "Forgotten man Iwelumo called into 'B' squad". The Scotsman. 10 November 2007.
    38. "Scotland B 1–1 Rep of Ireland B". BBC Sport. 20 November 2007.
    39. "Rep of Ireland B 0–0 Scotland B". BBC Sport. 14 November 2006.
    40. "Norway 4–0 Scotland". BBC Sport. 12 August 2009.
    41. "Scotland 2–0 Macedonia". BBC Sport. 5 September 2009.
    42. "Scotland call-up for Millwall's Jordan Archer and Hibs' Steven Whittaker". BBC Sport. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
    43. "DAFC Board Statement". Dunfermline Athletic FC. 31 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
    44. "Dunfermline Athletic appoint John Hughes as manager on two-and-a-half year deal". BBC Sport. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
    45. "Scott Brown: Fleetwood sack former Celtic legend as manager". BBC Sport. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
    46. Steven Whittaker at Soccerway. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
    47. Steven Whittaker at Soccerbase
    48. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Steven Whittaker". national-football-teams.com.
    49. "Zenit St Petersburg 2–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
    50. Shepka, Phil (25 May 2015). "Middlesbrough 0–2 Norwich City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
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