HE is one of only a few players at Ibrox not to have been linked with a move from the club during the transfer window.

Throughout the summer, Walter Smith's leading stars have found themselves associated with clubs in England and Europe. Allan McGregor, Madjid Bougherra, Steven Davis, Pedro Mendes and Kris Boyd have been the main focus of the transfer speculation.

But Steven Whittaker can find the form to attract the attention of some leading clubs if he continues his sizzling start to the season for the Light Blues.

That's the opinion of Bobby Williamson, who handed him his big break at Hibs.

The full-back is finally fulfilling the promise he displayed during his Easter Road days which prompted Smith to shell out £2million for his services. A double at the weekend in a 4-1 victory over Hamilton simply highlighted his emergence as a key player this season.

Whittaker's performances, not only since the start of this season, but also last term, have not gone unnoticed by his manager.

"Steven was perhaps our most consistent performer during the final months of last season," said the Ibrox gaffer. "Like a lot of players who sign for Rangers from another club, it can take some time to fully settle in and understand what is required at this football club.

"It was the same for Kevin Thomson. I felt we were just beginning to see the best of him last season when he unfortunately suffered a serious injury. But Steven has certainly improved and is playing extremely well.

"He has been forced to play in a variety of positions for us during his time here, but is now benefiting from an extended run in the same position and we are extremely pleased with his performances."

Williamson agrees with Smith that it can take some players longer than others to adjust to life at the Old Firm.

"There are different demands and pressure at both Rangers and Celtic compared to other clubs in the SPL," said the current Uganda coach. "Indeed, players coming from big clubs in England or abroad have taken time to settle in at those two clubs as well.

"But there is no doubt Steven certainly seems to have found his feet now and is performing well for Rangers. I've watched him regularly and you can see he is playing with confidence now and it must be really pleasing for Walter Smith to have him showing that sort of form.

"Steven is a player who likes to get forward. He'll get into the final third from the full-back area and has plenty of energy.

"If he continues to perform as well and consistently then it goes without saying he will become out of the key players at Rangers."

Williamson also believes Whittaker is benefiting from playing in a settled position after being forced to occupy various roles.

He said: "Steven can play in a number of positions. Right-back, as he'll tell you himself, is where he is most comfortable but he can also operate on the left. And he can play in midfield as well so it is good for a manager to have that sort of player at your disposal.

"Steven has obviously played in different positions for Rangers but he has now managed to get a run of games in his preferred position and his performances have been impressive so I'm sure he'll be hoping to remain there for the foreseeable future."

On Saturday afternoon, however, Whittaker could find himself being played at left-back for Scotland as they take on Macedonia at Hampden Park in a game they must win to have any chance of securing a World Cup play-off spot.

The man is question insists he'll be perfectly happy to operate anywhere on the pitch for George Burley and Williamson is confident he will perform well in whatever role he is handed by the international manager.

"Steven has said himself he is more than happy to play anywhere he is asked," said Williamson. "I think every player would rather play out of position than not play at all. If he is asked to play at left-back on Saturday then he'll certainly give it his best shot.

"The one advantage from playing there is that he can cut inside and have a shot or whatever and I've watched him do that is the past with Rangers. So I'm sure, if he is asked to play there, he'll give a good account of himself.

"His confidence will be high at the moment after starting the season so well for Rangers and scoring a couple of goals at the weekend, so that can only be a good thing for Scotland going into these two crucial qualifiers against Macedonia and Holland."