Steven Whittaker admits it was an extremely difficult decision to announce he is leaving Rangers.
The 28-year old defender, who signed a five-year deal with the Glasgow club last summer, has opted to walk away from 'Gers with their financial problems likely to directly affect the competition they compete in next season.
A vote will be made on July 4 which will determine whether or not Rangers' reformed newco will play in the Scottish Premier League or in the Third Division and that uncertainty has prompted Whittaker, and teammate Steven Naismith, to cut their losses by looking to continue their careers elsewhere.
"I signed for five years and would have turned 32 in the summer of when my contract ran out.
"I definitely wanted to see those five years out.
"I have enjoyed great times at Rangers and I was hopefully going to have a lot more there.
"Circumstances have brought around that is not going to be the case. From a football point of view, it's best to go elsewhere.
"I want to play at the top level as much as I can and I don't think that is going to happen here.
"You could say a way of looking at it was enough was enough and I couldn't take any more kicks.
"We tried to keep the club going and we tried to stay competitive but it wasn't to be.""I thought I would be ending my career at Rangers," he said.
