It’s now win at all costs for Rangers
The Ibrox rule of three has Holt fired up for visit of Motherwell
FORGET the looming presence of an Old Firm fixture, Rangers midfielder Jason Holt would argue that tonight’s visit of Motherwell has now assumed monumental importance. History helps to make his point.
Suffering another setback verges on the unthinkable. Only twice during the past 11 years have the Ibrox club lost three successive matches. In Feburary 2015, as protests against the old boardroom regime reached a peak, a team under the guidance of Kenny McDowall were beaten by Celtic, Raith Rovers and Hibernian in the space of 12 desperate days. Three months later, Stuart McCall’s side suffered a similar sequence as their ambition of salvaging promotion from the Championship via the play-offs was crushed. Those two instances pockmarked the same crisistorn campaign. Holt knows that steering the current situation away from that course is now the overwhelming priority. Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock was a miserable start for Graeme Murty a mere 24 hours after shedding the tag of interim manager. Just as they had done against St Johnstone seven days previously, Rangers blew a lead to slump to a thoroughly merited defeat. All the optimism inflated by previous wins over Aberdeen and Hibernian has gradually leaked away like the air from discarded balloon at a Christmas party. When Motherwell enter Ibrox, it will be the last chance for Murty’s side to recapture some positivity ahead of a visit to Celtic Park. Little wonder, then, that Holt views it as being as big as any game they have faced this season. ‘The Motherwell game is the one,’ insisted Holt (left). ‘It is huge. You can’t lose three games in a row at Rangers. ‘The players need to look at themselves. We need to take full responsibility. We are the only ones that can change it. After two defeats, we need to get back on track. It has not been good enough.
‘Of course we are disappointed and we have spoken about it. But there is a game and we need to go and win.
‘We need to look at what we can do better — and there are a lot things we can do better. Whatever way we get it, we need to get a win.’
As much as the result itself, the nature of Rangers’ performance at Rugby Park was worthy of alarm. A second-half onslaught by the hosts could easily have resulted in more than two goals. The same frailties exposed by St Johnstone were again laid bare.
While many within the support point fingers at the board for their handling of the managerial situation, Holt insists the players cannot offer any excuses for their recent slump.
‘We realise the last two results are unacceptable,’ admitted the 24-year-old. ‘It is down to the players to change that.
‘We know all eyes are on us and people are waiting to criticise us. It is up to us to rally together and put things right quickly.
‘I think we do merit the criticism that has come our way. The results are not good enough, especially as we were in a winning position in both games. We shouldn’t let that slip.
‘Kilmarnock had a period of dominance but we should be able to handle that. We need to stick together and put things right.’
Now in his third season with the club, Holt is anxious to find a solution for the lack of consistency that has plagued Rangers since their Premiership return.
‘It hasn’t always been plain sailing and it is tough times (at the moment),’ he added. ‘It is difficult. You go home and start to over-think. You’re scunnered by the game and the result.
‘I’m just desperate to win games for this club because that is all that is acceptable. When you don’t, then it hurts a lot.
‘It is hard to put your finger on what the problem is. But we need to get it out of our system as it has been a theme this season.
‘We still have a long way to go in the season, so the sooner we get rid of it the better.
‘Inconsistency has been a big thing for us. We should be going on longer winning runs.’
A summer spend of £8million under Pedro Caixinha should have given Rangers strength and depth. Instead, their most expensive buy — Carlos Pena — remained an unused substitute in Ayrshire. While injuries and suspensions
played a part, the lack of options available to Murty on the bench was still a damning indictment of the club’s effectiveness in the transfer market.
It also means surgery is essential during the January window. Murty has worked with director of football Mark Allen to draw up a list of targets, which includes Brighton forward Jamie Murphy.
‘I think we could do with adding a few players,’ said Holt. ‘I think that is evident on the park. We need a few bodies in different areas, but that is not for me to decide.’
A stronger pool to pick from would certainly aid Murty. Holt insists the former Under-20s coach can count on the backing of the squad after being handed the reins until the end of the season.
‘We are all delighted that Murts has the job,’ the midfielder added. ‘We will give everything from now until he steps down.’
Meanwhile, Rangers are keeping tabs on West Brom striker Tyler Roberts, who is currently on loan at Walsall. The 18-year-old striker is out of contract at the end of this season.