Holt is braced for return to scene of his former glories
JASON HOLT is unsure what reception awaits him at Tynecastle on Wednesday night. A first goal down Gorgie way in two years from the Rangers midfielder would certainly draw a conclusive response.
Two months before he was shown the door by Robbie Neilson, initially on loan to Sheffield United for the second half of the 2014/15 season, Holt sweetly struck the go-ahead goal that defeated Ally McCoist’s Rangers and set up Hearts for a runaway second-tier title success. Now he returns to play at the Gorgie venue in Rangers colours, still seeking a first Ladbrokes Premiership goal of the season.
Holt said: ‘It wll be the first time I’ve been back at Tynecastle as a player since I left, so that will be good for me and I’m looking forward to it.
‘There are a few of us with Hearts connections at the club. I’m not sure what kind of reception I’ll get from the home fans, though — we’ll need to wait and see.
‘They’ve got a really good squad, including a few of the boys who I played with as I came through the ranks. I spoke to Jamie Walker recently and it will be nice to talk to a few of the lads on Wednesday. My uncles are Hearts fans, season-ticket holders. They’ve been texting me to say they look forward to seeing me.
‘Tynecastle is a great stadium to play in. Whenever Celtic or Rangers came, the atmosphere was always electric and I’m sure it will be similar on Wednesday. Sometimes it’s better playing under the floodlights at Tynecastle — it adds an extra edge, somehow, but our ambition is to take all three points and to do what we normally do on the ball. That won’t change at all.
‘Personally, I feel that goal against Rangers was one of the best I’ve ever scored but I never dreamed then that I’d be playing for Rangers in the future. I would take any goal at the moment. I’ve been frustrated that I haven’t been taking chances. Once you get one, you maybe go on and get a few, it just happens for you. I hope that is the case with me.’
In a game postponed from October on account of Rangers contesting a Betfred Cup semifinal against Celtic, Hearts boss Neilson will be working against his former Brentford first-team coach Mark Warburton.
Neilson played 16 games on loan at Griffin Park in 2011 while Nicky Forster was manager. Warburton, on the backroom team, had scouted Neilson from Leicester City — helping Brentford to a comfortable midtable finish in their second season back in League One.
Warburton said: ‘Watching Robbie Neilson in the first team one day meant he was an obvious choice. Robbie was an outstanding pro. It showed the young boys what it’s all about at the higher level and it worked out well for both parties.
‘I recall a very intellectual guy, a very passionate football man and a top professional. I remember Robbie doing his work after an injury. He had an exercise to do every afternoon and I watched a very diligent professional at work.
‘I have a lot of respect for Robbie, for what he’s achieved both in his playing career and in management. I like him a lot as a man and how he goes about his business. That will be reflected in his team, I’m sure.’