Steven Whittaker recalls Hibs game that whetted his coaching appetite and what his plans are at Dunfermline

Steven Whittaker, left, helped Hibs get back on track when Paul Heckingbottom left by being part of the coaching set-up in a 4-1 win over St Johnstone.

Steven Whittaker says being part of the management team during Hibs’ 4-1 win against St Johnstone last season whetted his appetite for getting into coaching.

The veteran Scotland internationalist was asked to assist caretaker bosses Eddie May and Grant Murray for Hibs’ first game on November 9, 2019, after the sacking of then head coach Paul Heckingbottom.

The Hibees recorded a landslide win, with Christian Doidge netting a hat-trick and Whittaker became involved in the coaching set-up under new head coach Jack Ross thereafter.

However, the 36-year-old left Hibs upon expiration of his contract, but found a new home earlier this week when he signed a one-year player/coach deal at Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic.

Whittaker still plans on making an impact on the pitch, but knows his long-term future lies off it.

“I left Hibs at the end of the season and with the lockdown and everything that has happened, it was just a matter of weighing up options to see what was out there for me,” said Whittaker on his move to the Pars.

“I was getting to the point where it was going to be an important step towards what I want to become further down the line.

“When I knew that Stevie was interested in getting a chat going with me we met up and he wanted me to come here and play but I had aspirations to learn the coaching side of things as well.

“So once we got chatting we managed to agree that I could come in and be a player/coach. That is something that I am really keen on doing, I really want to get involved with Stevie and the management, have a say and use my experience in the game to help in ever which way that I can. I am really looking forward to the challenge.

“We took the team up to St Johnstone and got a convincing 4-1 win that day. It was one of these things the players probably react to the situation anyway but it was nice for it all to work out on that day. That was just a little taster of it but it’s definitely something that I want to aim towards.”

Speaking to the official Dunfermline Athletic website, Whittaker hailed his former club Hibs and looked back on his Easter Road career fondly.

“They have been great to me,” said Whittaker. “It was more the ending and the way that it occurred with the lockdown and not really knowing that it was going to end. It would have been nice to have played at Easter Road the last couple times and made a proper goodbye if you like. It is what it is and we all adapt to the situation that we are in. I am now just looking forward to this now.

“I have played a fair amount of games over the years, this is my 21st year having been a professional from the age of 16 to 36 so far. I am still going, still want to play and I still have the drive to do well.

“Stevie has spoken to me and when I was playing at Hibs I was playing in a central midfield role protecting the back four. I was doing well in the Hibs team up until getting sent off in the last game!

“I had a good run of games and felt like I was competing well. It is a position that I know well and quite enjoy at this stage where I am. Hopefully I can control things tactically and have a big say in where players are. Hopefully it will all fall into place.”