Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker pen long-term deals

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Steven Whittaker, Ally McCoist and Allan McGregor celebrate the new contracts
Image caption,

Whittaker, McCoist and McGregor will remain together for the coming season

Scotland internationals Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker could stay at Rangers for the rest of their careers after signing long-term contracts.

Goalkeeper McGregor said: "It looks that way. It will take me to 35 and hopefully I can stay a bit longer."

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis has also been offered a new five-year deal.

McGregor has agreed a six-year contract, while 27-year-old defender Whittaker's new deal is for five years.

The two Edinburgh-born players had been linked with moves away from Ibrox following a third successive title win.

Whittaker, who had been entering the final year of his contract, was recently the subject of four bids from Turkish club Bursaspor that were all rejected by the Scottish champions.

McGregor, whose previous deal was due to expire in 2013, came through the youth ranks at Ibrox and became a first-team regular after loan spells with St Johnstone and Dunfermline Athletic.

Having had a lifetime ban from international football for a late-night drinking session overturned by present Scotland coach Craig Levein, he has gone on to win 13 caps and has cemented his place as first choice following Craig Gordon's injury problems.

McGregor had also been suspended by Rangers and he said: "Maybe they did give me a second chance and I am grateful to the gaffer and the club that they gave me that chance."

But it was not a sense of owing anything to the club that was the goalkeeper's main motivation when signing his new contract.

"I just want to keep winning. I love the feeling of winning for this club and I want it to continue," said McGregor, who had attracted interest from clubs in the Premier League in England.

"I never really heard anything concrete and I've never ever said that I wanted to leave.

"That feeling I got at the end of last season - I don't think you would get that anywhere else.

"I've been here all my life anyway and there was no hiding the fact that I wanted to stay and I am really glad that something has been done and I have actually signed."

Whittaker joined Rangers from Hibernian for £2m in 2007 and has gone on to win 12 Scotland caps since moving to Ibrox.

His versatility - playing at left-back, in central defence and in midfield as well as his favoured right-back - led to interest from one of Turkey's top clubs, but manager Ally McCoist was determined to hold on to a player he views as key to his team building after taking over from Walter Smith.

"It was obviously just a case of negotiating back and forward and I am delighted to commit my future to the club," said Whittaker.

"I spoke to the manager and he told me he had no intention of me going anywhere.

"Five years is a long time to sign a contract and me and Allan appreciate the length of the contracts and will do everything we can to give the club back what they deserve."

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