Now Holt could be set to roar with the Lions

Livingston are running the rule over former St Johnstone midfielder Jason Holt.

The 27-year-old – who had a loan spell with Saints last season – is a free agent after leaving Rangers this summer. He has been training with the Lions for the past week.

Livi have already added Alan Forrest, Robby McCrorie, Salim Kouider-Aissa and Matej Poplatnik to their ranks ahead of the new Premiership campaign but remain in the market for reinforcements.

And boss Gary Holt insists he is open to discussions with the ex-Rangers and Hearts playmaker if he impresses on trial.

He said: “We gave Jason an opportunity to come in and train. We have given him the chance to keep himself ticking over and to be part of something instead of training by himself.

“I don’t know if there is a chance for a deal because we haven’t spoken about it – we have just given him the opportunity to be part of the group.

“There is nothing worse than being on your own. You want to be playing with the ball in a group.

“We will see what’s what but we know where he is and he knows where we are. So we will wait and see.

“If people have some sort of pedigree then we will give them a chance, as long as they add quality to our group.”

The Livingston gaffer reckons Holt’s willingness to train with the club without the guarantee of a contract is indicative of a seachange in the transfer market following the Covid-19 crisis.

Livi’s policy, wherever possible, is to bring targets into the club on trial before tabling a deal and, given the number of players scrambling for employment, stars are becoming more amenable to that.

Holt said: “Even last year, agents were saying their players wanted this and that before we got a look at them. They didn’t want to come in and train. Now players are happy to come on trial.

“In these times there are a lot of players out of work who are willing to show they want a jersey.

“The ball is maybe back in the club’s court that the wages can be structured instead of players demanding X amount.

“We will keep the door open and see what we can get.”

The Lions boss also hopes interest in the likes of striker Lyndon Dykes will spur his team to a quick start when the season kicks off next month.

The Scottish Football Association has confirmed the window will shut at midnight on October 5 as a result of the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

But with the new deadline set over a month later than usual, it means managers holding on to sought-after talents will have to contend with the distraction of transfer speculation for longer.

Dykes has been strongly linked with Rangers all summer after the former Queen of the South forward netted 12 times during his debut topflight campaign.

Holt confirmed there has so far been “zero” expressions of firm interest in the Australian-born hitman but also says he will not loose sleep even if suitors come calling in the days leading up to the window’s close.

He said: “I’m not bothered about it. I can’t stop people being interested.

“That happens – but only when you’re playing well. It’s as simple as that.

“It’s very rare that someone comes looking to buy your players when they’re not playing.

“So the extended window just gives us opportunity to impress even more in the early part of the season and the players a chance to showcase their talent.

“There’s zero interest (in Lyndon). We are where we are. It’s not changed.”

Former Saint Jason Holt left Rangers this summer.