After a storming debut for his new club Fleetwood Town, does Jason Holt still have a future at Rangers?
The midfielder was one of several fringe men sent out to get game time this season by Steven Gerrard. However, even at this early stage, it looks as though Holt could be the standout loanee of the season.
Making his debut for Fleetwood, he notched a debut goal before having another ruled out for offside at Oxford United. This led to huge praise from manager Joey Barton, who labelled his debut “phenomenal” to the press.
However, can Holt fit back into Gerrard’s squad?
Chances are it’s unlikely. The Rangers manager seemingly wants most things about the old regimes at the club gone. Holt was a permanent fixture in a dreadful last couple of years. Gerrard was quick to send him out of the club, before singing a wave of midfield recruits in his place.
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Challenging the likes of Scott Arfield and Ryan Jack is going to be difficult. Gerrard has also claimed he wants to sign Lassana Coulibaly permanently. Ovie Ejaria could also have a move made for him if his loan spell goes well.
It could be the case that the Rangers manager sees Holt as a good squad player as cover. However, in terms of ever truly challenging for the first-team again, you get the feeling the club will be too high in quality for someone like Holt.
That’s not to say he isn’t a popular figure amongst the support. The Rangers fans always appreciated the drive and engine that the 25-year-old had in him. Yet despite that, there was always a lack of genuine technical quality in Holt’s game.
Technically sound individuals with strong footballing brains have replaced the energetic former Hearts man this season.
Holt may or may not fancy coming back to Rangers and bench-warming, but this could be the only role Gerrard has for him.
So whilst he may be pulling up some early trees down in Fleetwood, Holt is one whose future at Rangers will forever remain limited.