Steven Whittaker insists he is ready to fight for his place at Rangers after finally winning his fitness battle.

The utility man has been out of action since the opening day of the season with a knee injury but is back on the comeback trail after turning out for the reserves and being named as a unused substitute against Hamilton in the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Tuesday night.

Of course, his own return has been over-shadowed by Barry Ferguson’s comeback, with the skipper expected to be back in the first team for tomorrow’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League match with Inverness.

Whittaker would be happy just to make the bench this weekend but has no intention of kicking his heels on the sidelines for long.

"I’m ready to return," he said. "I came through my first reserve game during the week and I’ve trained with the boys for a couple of weeks now.

"I’m just looking to get some match practice and return to the team. Hopefully, I will travel with the team on Saturday. It’s always nice to be involved in some sort of form.

"If I can make the bench then I’ll be delighted to pull on a strip and hopefully get back involved.

"I didn’t have an operation but I had three injections in my knee

to help the pain go away. It’s still with me a little bit but it’s not stopping me from doing anything.

"I’m getting through training and games fine and I’m just looking to return."

Whittaker believes the current Rangers squad is even stronger than the one who won two domestic trophies and reached the UEFA Cup final last year and he is well aware of just how tough a task it will be to force his way back into Walter Smith’s plans.

"At a club like Rangers, you are always going to have competition for your position, no matter where you play on the field," Whittaker said.

"There is lots of competition and whoever is playing well will keep their place in the team. The boys have done well and the performances have been good so it’s difficult for anyone to get back into the team.

"It just comes from hard work and trying to impress in training and reserve games. Hopefully, I get a chance and perform well and take it.

“We’ve got a lot of talent throughout the team. There are a

lot of players who can play in the first team and it’s just about fighting for a place in the first XI.

"The bigger squad was needed last year. We’re not in Europe this year, which is the disappointing thing - everyone would have been needed if we were in Europe.

"A lot of players might have time on the sidelines now, and it’s never easy for a player not to be playing. But, with the right attitude and hard work, hopefully we will all get a chance."

Ferguson has been out of action for five months but has vowed to be back better than ever following successful ankle surgery in the summer. Whittaker believes Rangers have missed their captain despite a decent start to the campaign.

He said: "It’s good to have him back and see him doing what he does best.

“He came through the reserve game well and he’s just like me now, looking to get some matches under his belt and get some match fitness and try to return to the squad.

"He’s a massive influence. He has been captain of the club for several years and he is a top player to have in your team.”