Holt never lost his self-belief
Football management is shot through with both the mundane and the fantastic.
In one sense, it’s a job just like any other – little more than a means to pay the bills.
Yet to get there in the first place requires the kind of fairytale leap of faith few are prepared to make.
Gary Holt knows all about that.
Just six weeks ago – and after two years out of work – Holt was ready to turn his back on football for the sake of his family. Incredibly, the dole queue was calling.
Then Livingston stepped in to save his dugout dream.
Having maintained faith in his own ability for as long as humanly – not to mention financially – possible, he will today boss his Livi side against Rangers. Talk about vindication. Talk about reward. Talk about relief.
“Being here is more a validation of my family’s patience, not mine,” he said, clearly thankful for their love and support.
“I was literally about to sign on the dole, and go and look for a job.
“I was a chef in a previous life, but I probably wouldn’t go back to that – I’d do anything, though.
“I like working, I like earning a living, I like being able to provide for my family. So I’d do any job I was able to do.
“Am I lucky to be in the position I am? Yes. But if you work hard, you get what you deserve, and I think I’ve served my time to warrant getting the chance.” Holt’s choice of words doesn’t seem deliberate, but it is telling.
Since leaving Norwich City in 2016, he has bounced about, looking for work, but never finding it.