Rangers transfer scouting: Morgan Whittaker's Ibrox profile assessed

Morgan Whittaker represents a profile of player that Rangers have required for some time. He’s 22-year-old and has 16 goal involvements already this season (nine goals and seven assists) playing for Plymouth in League One.

Swansea City recalled him from Home Park earlier this month and their manager, Russell Martin, confirmed on Wednesday that an offer from Rangers had been knocked back, despite Michael Beale’s natural ambiguity on the topic later that evening.

“We have rejected an offer from them, that's it,” Martin said, as reported by the BBC.

While Beale rejected any knowledge of a bid, he did provide his take on the player’s circumstances, saying: “They have recalled him for a reason. I would say that he was one of the better if not the best player in League One in the first half of the season and unless they have recalled him to play him, they must have recalled him to move him to a higher level.”

Steven Schumacher, who managed Whittaker at Plymouth, said the player has a left foot "to die for" speaking earlier this season.

"He has been a really important player for us. He gets himself into great positions on the pitch, he shows his quality," he added.

"Nearly every week he has opportunities to score and, at the moment, he's taking them. He looks as though he's enjoying his football, which is the most important thing with Morgan. With his character and the way he is, you have got to keep the plan clear for him, tell him what you want and what you expect from him and, at the moment, he's producing so long may that continue."

So, what type of player is Whittaker and would he prove a good fit for Beale’s Rangers?

Player profile 

Standing over six feet tall, Whittaker is a powerful runner who, although not lightning quick over the first few yards, is comfortable progressing the ball over distance. Possessing a strong frame that doesn’t discount a quick pair of feet.

He’s more of an attacker than a midfielder and despite playing off the left at points, feels most natural when starting from the right flank.

His heatmap from the first half of this season doesn’t reflect a player who hugs the touchline and looks to cross from deep. Whittaker prefers to move inside and occupy the right half-space, get into the penalty box and allow an overlapping full-back to provide width.

Over the first half of the League One season, no player attempted more shots per 90 than Whittaker. His average of 3.67 shots per 90 total was almost double the 1.79 crosses per 90 attempted. He ranks 18th in the division for progressive runs (2.65) and a lower 53rd for progressive passes (3.14) while attempting the 14th-highest number of dribbles (6.32).

Occasionally he will hang wide to receive the ball, but it’s more common to see Whittaker drift into positions like this.

From here, he can try to find the right full-back breaking the line, use his strength to turn an opponent and shoot, or play in a teammate towards his left.

Despite featuring for a dominant team, Whittaker would be afforded fewer transitional opportunities in Scotland. However, there’s more to his game than carrying the ball into space and he’s not an attacker who relies on room in behind to thrive.

Goalscoring abilities

Whittaker’s shot map from the last year, which features five goals scored for Lincoln City during the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, features promising points and areas that will require refining.

Remarkably, only one of 124 shots were taken from inside the six-yard box and 81 attempts arrived from outside the area, compared to 41 inside of it.

Whittaker is a strong ball striker and six goals from outside the area confirm this. However, his shot selection could improve and, if he is to play at Ibrox, he’ll need to take those efforts at the right time, not always opting for speculative shots when ball-retention is required.

On the plus side, Whittaker’s 0.43 goals per 90 in League One this season is a really promising total. He’s proficient at finding corners and powerful in execution.

Despite his height, the attacker is not one for headers yet and clearly, is relatively one-footed when finishing according to his stats.

A highlight reel of his goals this season makes for good viewing, although it notably doesn’t feature the number of shots which evaded the target in the process. 

There’s also the encouraging sign of some back-post goals, given Rangers have lacked wide attackers who hit that area in recent seasons.

This strike in particular, against Exeter, sees Whittaker start a run from deep, getting past his marker with a drop of the shoulder before taking the ball down to score. Opting for the run outlined in white rather than red.

As mentioned above, this isn’t a wide attacker who wants to remain by the touchline and constantly beat his man, Whittaker is far more of a wide goalscorer.

Ball progression and creation

Two of the forward's strikes this season, against Cheltenham and Charlton in particular, saw him travel with the ball under pressure before retaining composure to finish.

He prefers to drive inside onto his stronger left foot but does occasionally mix it up and go outside the defender.

Whittaker consistently rolls his man when receiving with his back to goal, showing them just enough of the ball to commit before using his strength to progress. 

Even when it’s clear and obvious that a run onto his left is imminent, Whittaker’s size and strength allow him to protect the ball and move onto his favoured foot.

The 22-year-old’s penalty box deliveries show that when he does cross, it’s rarely from the byline. Key passes are as prevalent as carries from the right flank.

The youngster is far more likely to attempt the type of passes seen below. Where he picks up the ball in front of the opposing defence to find the feet of the striker or an overlapping full-back.

How could he fit in under Beale?

There has been an obvious need for Rangers to secure a left-footed goalscorer for some time.  

Considering James Tavernier’s role as an overlapping full-back under Beale, the team is set up to include an inverted threat from the right side. 

Crucially, while areas such as shot selection would require refining, Whittaker is a goal threat who also extends his arm to creating. And, unlike some attackers signed in recent seasons, doesn't need space behind the defence to excel.

His age also fits the profile of player that Beale wants to recruit. Young, with a strong potential selling on fee in the future. If a move does materialise and Whittaker is given a chance to work with the manager, a successful Ibrox career should follow.