Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher says a change of heart in the Swansea camp put an end to Rangers' pursuit of the winger.
The League One promotion chasers had the 22-year-old on loan in the first part of the season and he shone in England's third tier, scoring nine goals and racking up seven assists. He was then recalled to Wales and Ibrox boss Michael Beale began a pursuit which became public, as Russell Martin confirmed bids from Scotland for his man and then leaving him out of matchday squads until the transfer window was shut.
In the end, Whittaker went nowhere and will form part of Swansea's Championship team for the rest of the season. But speaking to Plymouth Live, Argyle boss Schumacher says the attacker didn't know where he was going to end up before his club's decision, and that the Plymouth board would have backed another loan attempt.
He said: "I was in constant contact with his agent. I have been in contact with Morgan because he just wasn't sure what was going to happen.
"It looked for one minute he was going to get his move that he was going to go to. And then Swansea changed their mind and he was part of their plans.
"I know we have got five loans already. But I think if I had gone back to the board and said 'Look, Morgan is available' then I'm sure they would have done that if we felt that was the right thing to do.
"The message now is he's going to play a part for Swansea. So I wish him well."
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