Scottish Cup quarter-finals
Holt sure things can only get better at Ibrox
Rangers v Falkirk
IN this Rangers squad, you can be leader of men one day then a bench warmer the next. That’s a reality that has sunk in for Jason Holt — proud captain of Rangers for the fifth game in a row at the start of February. By the end of the month he was spectator, not skipper.
Holt watched the stroll to a 4-1 success at St Johnstone from the dugout on Tuesday as Rangers powered six points clear of Aberdeen in second place, the young blood of new signing Greg Docherty starring in his natural position.
The Rangers midfield has been purring lately thanks to the injection of free-kick specialist Sean Goss on loan from Queens Park Rangers working alongside Holt and then Docherty as Graeme Murty’s team moved closer to Celtic and reached the last eight of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
What hasn’t escaped Holt’s attention, despite the focus on finishing this season strongly on both league and knockout fronts, is that there are three high-class potential first choice central midfield players in the treatment room — Graham Dorrans, Ryan Jack and Ross McCrorie.
That embarrassment of riches leaves Holt not wondering entirely about his own predicament and how he might find a place in the centre of the park once everyone is fit and available to the Rangers manager.
Rather, it makes him consider just how much improvement is left in the current Rangers squad when Murty is able to select from a full complement of midfield talent.
‘When you look about, we’ve got Ryan Jack to come back — someone who has a Scotland cap and been about international squads before — and Graham Dorrans who has played in the Premier League and got many Scotland caps,’ noted Holt.
‘We’ve still also got Lee Wallace and Ross McCrorie to come back in. They would all add quality to this side.
‘It just shows you that when these boys are back fit again, then Rangers will get even better.
‘We’ve made good signings in January and, since we have come back from Florida, we have been in high spirits and there is such a positive mood in the squad. That has shown in the games we’ve been playing, the results we’ve got.
‘So if you’ve got a jersey and you are in there, you’ve got to make sure you do your best to keep that. If not — once everyone is fit — there are guys ready to take it and want to take it.
‘It’s down to each individual to make sure they work extremely hard and when they are on that pitch they need to show they should be given the jersey.
‘When you’re on the receiving end of not playing it’s frustrating. I think there is competition all over the park — not just in my position — which is healthy for the squad.’
The Rangers support adore Holt’s work ethic and commitment. However, his whole-hearted approach and going over the bookings threshold conspired to cost him his place.
Suspended for the five-goal display at Hamilton a fortnight ago, there was no compunction in Murty sticking with the same team for Hearts then St Johnstone and leaving Holt on the sidelines.
‘I missed one game and the two I have sat out the boys have won both of them,’ said Holt. ‘I had been captain and then I wasn’t playing, which is difficult. But I want to get that shirt back and I’ll be working hard to do that.
‘When there are three of four central midfielders not playing itching to get in as well and waiting for an opportunity, you only get that if there’s an injury or a suspension. Greg, who has taken my place, has done really well. I’ve been in a position before when I’ve not been playing but I will hopefully give the gaffer a headache.’
Holt was an automatic pick under Mark Warburton when Rangers blew their chance of Scottish Cup glory two years ago.
That collapse, when Anthony Stokes and David Gray goals in the final ten minutes handed Hibernian the trophy amid chaotic scenes, remains a sore point with Holt to this day.
He suspects he is not alone in nursing regret about that afternoon while on this road to Hampden, which meets its next obstacle in Falkirk visiting Ibrox today.
‘Everyone who was involved will probably say it has been their toughest day — it is mine since I’ve been at Rangers,’ said Holt.
‘Old Firm defeats are hard ones to take. But losing the cup final is certainly up there. We did so well to get to the Scottish Cup final by beating Celtic in the semi-final. And to be in a winning position then to throw it away the way we did was hard to take.
‘We have difficult ties coming up, but we want to get back to more finals and put that right. It makes you hungry to get back there and win the next one.’