Jason Holt admits he had to leave Rangers as club had come on ‘leaps and bounds’

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Midfielder Jason Holt has been discussing his exit from Rangers this week. The 26-year-old has joined St Johnstone on loan until the end of the season. It was clear throughout the summer that Holt had no chance of first-team football at Ibrox under Steven Gerrard this season. 

The midfielder spent last season on loan at former Rangers midfielder Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town. He had a good season in League One, however, Rangers have strengthened significantly in the heart of midfield and Holt clearly had no pathway to first-team football. 

Speaking to The Herald about the move Holt admitted leaving Ibrox was tough. However, he conceded he had to make the move for the good of his career. 

“It’s just one of those things. When a new manager arrives it can be like a revolving door.

“I decided to go out on loan last season to play games and then when I came back, the team there had come on leaps and bounds. So there wasn’t a place for me. I wasn’t in the plans and you have to move on.

“It’s a tough decision to make because you never want to leave a club of that size – but you have to think about the bigger picture.”

TBR’s View

Holt arrived from Hearts in 2015 following a loan spell at Sheffield United. He immediately became a regular under Mark Warburton and helped Rangers win promotion back to the top-flight in 2015-16, earning a place in the Championship team of the year.

However, he struggled with the step up to the Premiership and Gerrard quickly decided he was not at the level necessary to take Rangers back into title contention. 

So whilst it is proving a difficult end to his time at Ibrox, Holt is doing the right thing looking out for his own future and moving on. 

Hopefully, he can thrive with the Saints, and maybe help take some points off Old Firm rivals Celtic along the way.