The right-back has won silverware more recently than most of his new colleagues, having helped Hibernian to CIS Insurance Cup glory last season.

He is set to join Rangers' Champions League campaign in the third round of qualifying, providing they turn a 2-0 first-leg lead over FK Zeta into an aggregate victory.

The Champions League third qualifying round draw takes place tomorrow morning, and Whittaker has already admitted he is longing for the chance to impress in Europe.

The $5million recruit has signed a five-year deal with the Ibrox outfit in the hope of winning trophies on a regular basis.

And although European silverware might be a lot to ask, the 23-year-old is confident Rangers can land the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in his first season.

Whittaker said: "I definitely believe I'm joining a title-winning team.

"At a club like Rangers you have to challenge for trophies and I'm sure we will."

Smith may opt to deploy Whittaker on the right side of midfield, although he sees his best position as right-back and is prepared to challenge Alan Hutton for that role.

He said: "My favourite position is full-back, that's where I've played the last three years and I'm used to.

"But my favourite part of the game is attacking and if I'm asked to play midfield I think I can cope with that.

"The strength of squad, it'll be tougher, and the talent of the players, the manager will have a lot of hard decisions to make. I hope to do well in training.

"Alan's done fantastically well and is first choice there. Where the manager sees me playing is a decision he'll make, I just need to work hard and train as well as I can and if I get a chance take it."

Whittaker joins the likes of Gary Caldwell, Derek Riordan, Scott Brown, Ian Murray and Kevin Thomson who have departed Hibernian for the Old Firm in recent seasons.

Thomson urged Whittaker to join him at Ibrox.

Whittaker said: "I got the phone call on Tuesday to come for my medical on Wednesday, I couldn't sleep on Tuesday night.

"There was a lot of speculation during the summer but it's important for players to relax from football and I tried to do that the best I could but I was always wondering where my future would lie.

"I'm over the moon to be here, a bit overwhelmed and hope to settle in quickly.

"'Thommo' is a good buddy of mine and I had many chats on the phone and he only told me great things about the club and hoped I'd join him.

"It's a great step for my career, it's a big step up but I'm sure I can cope with it and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Smith called Whittaker up to the Scotland squad last season for the qualifier in the Ukraine and, although he remains uncapped, the youngster hopes being at Rangers will boost his international chances.

He said: "When he called me up to the Scotland squad I was delighted and he treated me great when I was there.

"It can only help if I'm playing for a big club, and playing well hopefully Alex won't ignore and and put me in the squad.

"Playing for Rangers you get noticed a lot more so if I'm in the team hopefully Alex will see that."

Whittaker had been at Hibernian since he was 16 and praised the coaches there for assisting in his development.

He said: "Hibs is a great club for any youth player to learn their trade and I enjoyed seven years at the club.

"I can't say a bad word about them, I had a fantastic time there."