Long-term deals make Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker 'Rangers players for life'

Goalkeeper McGregor, 29, who came through the youth ranks at the Govan club, confirmed yesterday that he had penned a new six-year deal.

Whittaker, 27, recently the subject of several rejected bids from Turkish club Bursaspor, signed on for another five years.

Such lengthy contracts are unusual in football in the current era, with McGregor in particular likely to be the envy of senior players around the country who dream of the kind of security offered by a contract that will take a player to the age of 35.

However, the contracts also ensure that any club wishing to buy either player will have to buy out a significant contract.

Asked if his new contract would effectively make him a Ranger for life, McGregor replied: "It looks that way, yes.

"This should take me until I'm 35 and hopefully I can stay a wee bit longer, you never know."

McGregor learned last season that he was in line to be sold by Rangers if the Craig Whyte takeover had not gone ahead. It was a prospect he did not relish.

He added: "I have been here all my life so there was no hiding the fact that I wanted to stay. I'm just really glad that I have signed. It's good for the club and it's good for me and I just want to repay them by putting in good consistent performances, week after week."

Asked if he would like to see out his time at Ibrox, Whittaker concurred with his team-mate.

"Yes, I would love to," said the Scotland defender, who cost Rangers 2 million from Hibs in 2007. "Five years is a long time. Allan and I appreciate the lengths of contracts and we will do everything we can to be successful and give the club back what they deserve.

Whittaker, who lifted the League Cup with Hibs before he became the latest of several outstanding young players at Easter Road to leave for big transfer fees, added: "I spoke to the manager (Ally McCoist) and he was fully aware that Bursaspor were there but he said I wasn't for sale and they had no intention of me going anywhere.

"I was quite happy with that and obviously I signed a deal to prove it. It was a matter of negotiating and we have managed to come to an agreement.

"I'm delighted to sign a long-term deal and commit my future to the club."

McGregor has been constantly linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League, with Aston Villa most recently reportedly interested.However, the goalkeeper, who is now first-choice for Scotland, says winning trophies at Rangers as well as the chance to play European football on a regular basis, meant leaving the Scottish champions was never an option.

He said: "I never heard anything concrete (about interest from other clubs]. As I said before, I never said I wanted to leave and I'm delighted that I signed. I love that feeling of winning for this club.

"The feeling of wining the league, I don't think you can get that anywhere else. I want it to continue and hopefully it can for the next six years.

"Playing in Europe is obviously totally different from the league, you are playing against the best players in the world.

"It is a good thing for the club and I think we deserve to be playing on the biggest stage."

Whittaker, whose versatility has made him a key player at Ibrox, added: "I have been here for four years now and it's been a successful spell.

"I enjoy winning trophies and obviously I want to continue doing that over the next few years."