Hibs' Steven Whittaker reveals his own plans for next season

Steven Whittaker has no plans to hang up his boots when his Hibs contract ends at the end of this season.

The versatile veteran will be 36 this summer, but insists he still feels in good condition and is keen to play into his late 30s, regardless of whether that is at Easter Road or not.

Asked if he intended to play on next season, Whittaker said: “Yes, definitely. I still feel like I’m in good enough shape to keep going. I’ll continue to do that until my body says otherwise.

“I feel like I’ve possibly got a couple more years left in me. I’m still covering good distance. My body is feeling OK. It maybe takes you a day or so to recover, but I still feel like I’m in good enough shape to do a job for someone.”

Whittaker joined Hibs on a three-year contract in summer 2017 and has flitted in and out of the team in the past couple of years. He has recently returned to the starting line-up after several months on the sidelines, but has had no discussions with Hibs management regarding a possible contract extension.

“Not as yet,” he said. “At this stage of your career, you try to enjoy playing in the moment. You know your years are going to stop eventually so it’s just about trying to enjoy it while it’s still here.”

Whittaker has seen former team-mates retire at various ages. His long-time former Hibs and Rangers colleague Kevin Thomson, for instance, hung up his boots aged 31, while others played on until they hit 40. “Everyone is different,” he said. “Their bodies can take more load than others and some struggle with injuries. Look at Kenny Miller who has just retired. He is 40. David Weir, who I played with at Rangers, played until he was 40. Age is but a number. The body will tell you when it is time to call it a day.”