Holt is finding it ‘tough, difficult and frustrating’
From being the Rangers captain to becoming a frustrated onlooker.
Jason Holt has had quite a time of it since returning after the winter break.
The 25-year-old midfielder was handed the armband for the Light Blues’ first game back after the mid-season holiday, the crucial clash with Aberdeen.
And he responded in style with an impressive display in the 2-0 win which lifted his side to second in the table.
Since then, though, things have not gone so smoothly.
Taken off during the home defeat to Hibs, he missed the win over Hamilton Accies through suspension and played just eight minutes off the bench of the victories over Hearts and St Johnstone.
This afternoon’s Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk, Holt fervently hopes, will provide him a greater opportunity to shine.
“Any time you’re out of the team, it’s tough, it’s difficult and it’s frustrating,” he said.
“I had been the captain and then I wasn’t playing, which is difficult.
“I got suspended and missed one game, and in the two I have sat out, the boys have won both. That’s football.
“I think there is competition all over the park – not just in my position – which is healthy for the squad.
“When you’re on the receiving end, it’s frustrating. But in the long run it’s good for the squad.
“I want to get that shirt back, however, and I’ll be working hard to do that, striving to impress the gaffer in training so I can get back into the team.”
As Holt admitted, that’s a task which might be easier said than done with a couple of the most high-profile Ibrox absentees about to return to the fold.
“There are three of four central midfielders not playing at the moment, and when they’re all fit, they will be itching for an opportunity as well,” Holt continued.
“Greg Docherty, who has taken my place, has done really well so I just have to bide my time. I’ve been in a position before when I’ve not been playing, but I will just work hard and hopefully give the gaffer a headache.
“When you look about, we’ve got Ryan Jack to come back – someone who’s got a Scotland cap and been about squads – and Graham Dorrans, who’s played in the English Premier League and got many Scotland caps.
“They bring quality, so if you have a jersey you’ve got to make sure you do your best. If not – once everyone is fit – there are guys ready to take it.
“It just shows you that when these boys are back fit, Rangers will be even better.
“We’ve also got Lee Wallace and Ross Mccrorie to come back in, and they also add quality to the side. So it is down to each individual to make sure he does his best.
“We’ve made good signings in January, and since we’ve come back from Florida, we have been in high spirits and there is a positive mood in the squad.”
It’s a mood which Holt hopes will be boosted by progress in the Scottish Cup.
“This competition is a target for us, and we go into the Falkirk game with a lot of confidence because we have been playing well recently,” he said.
“Everyone who was involved in the 2016 Cup Final, which we lost to Hibs, will probably say it has been their toughest day and I am no different.
“Old Firm defeats are hard to take, but since I have been at Rangers, losing the Cup Final is certainly up there.
“We did so well to get there by beating Celtic in the semi-final. To be in a winning position and to throw it away the way we did was hard to take.
“So now the aim has to be to get back there and put it right.”