Caixinha: This is why I didn’t offload Rangers fringe player in summer
By James Black
Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha explained that he didn’t offload Jason Holt in the summer transfer window due to his hardworking nature and ability to rise to the occasion when called upon.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been on the fringes of Caixinha’s side this season but made a valuable contribution on Tuesday night as the Gers booked their place in the last four of the Scottish League Cup with a 3-1 extra-time win over Partick Thistle
Goals from Carlos Pena, Daniel Candeias and Eduardo Herrera booked the Light Blues a place in Thursday’s semi-final draw.
Holt replaced Pena as Rangers tweaked their formation during the second-half of Tuesday night’s tie, sitting deep beside Ryan Jack at the base of Rangers’ midfield.
Now, Caixinha has admitted that he kept Holt over during the summer as he is a player he can rely on when he is in need of an extra body in the midfield.
“Let me say, it would be really unfair for me if I didn’t refer to Jason Holt.” Caixinha said after the match, as quoted by the Evening Times.
“He is a hard worker. We kept him from last season because he is always like this and you know that you really can count on him.
“He did a great job, he gave a new energy to the midfield and he helped us to keep the team balanced and have the arrivals also at the same time.”
Holt has only made three appearances so far for the first-team after spending much of the previous two years as a regular starter under Mark Warburton and Caixinha.
The former Hearts midfielder moved to Ibrox in 2015 for £60,000 and has scored 13 times in 86 appearances for the Gers.
He was linked with a return to Tynecastle on deadline day as a makeweight in Rangers’ attempts to sign winger Jamie Walker but the proposed deal fell through and the 24-year-old remained a Rangers player.
In other Rangers news, fans have taken to Twitter to rave about one player in particular after the team’s triumph against Partick on Tuesday.
We’ve launched a << BREAKING NEWS FEED>> exclusively for your club. ‘Like Us’ on Facebook by clicking here if you want 24/7 updates on all Rangers breaking news.