Ibrox old boy Holt is a Barton fan, despite his

Jason Holt hopes he can help raise the standards at Livingston.

The 27-year-old has always been known for his hard-working approach to the game, but he admits that has been enhanced by an unlikely figure.

Joey Barton is one of those characters who divides opinion.

He was loved by supporters at some clubs, and a controversial figure at others.

Undoubtedly, his time at Rangers was a massive flop.

A training-ground bust-up in the wake of a 5-1 thrashing by Celtic saw the Englishman’s contract torn up after just eight games.

He did, however, get back in touch with the Ibrox club, and took Jason Holt on loan for the 2018-19 season after becoming boss of Fleetwood Town.

Holt said: “He was great with me. I really enjoyed my time at Fleetwood.

“He has lots of ideas about football, and wanted to learn every day as a new, young manager.

“In the season just past, they came close in the play-offs, which tells you how well he has done.

“I only have praise and good words about my time there.

“There is a perception around him. But when I worked with him every day at Rangers and then Fleetwood, I could see his ideas and passion for the game.

“He just wants to learn every day, and that comes across on the training pitch. It was really enjoyable.

“There are already high standards here at

Livingston, but that’s something that is the norm for me.

“Being at Rangers and then Fleetwood with Joey, that was always demanded.” Holt could make his Livi debut when Rangers visit the Tony Macaroni Arena today.

He signed a two-year deal with the West Lothian club last week.

And coming up against Steven Gerrard’s team won’t faze him.

Having not long left the club, he knows plenty of their players, and looks back fondly at his time in light blue.

He went on: “It was a really great experience. I loved my time there.

“It was five years in total, but really only three as part of the squad.

“I will probably look back on those as being the best three years of my career.

“It’s a special club, and I think everyone who leaves Rangers says you don’t get