Sources: Top-flight club want to sign Rangers 27-yr-old, he’s quitting Ibrox in weeks
St Johnstone are keen to sign Jason Holt permanently as the clock ticks on his Rangers career, Football Insider understands.
The central midfielder, 27, is out of contract at the end of May after spending the season at McDiarmid Park.
A Scottish source has told Football Insider that the Saints have been impressed by Holt and want to convert his loan into a permanent transfer.
But the midfielder is likely to need to be patient as the SPL club first need to appoint a new manager before assessing their transfer plans.
With the uncertainty about the termination of the Scottish Premiership season after the lower leagues were terminated, key issues remain in the balance for the Saints.
Tommy Wright quit as the club’s manager earlier this month after seven years and the club are assessing contenders, with Rangers reserve team coach Peter Lovenkrands among the contenders.
Holt has not heard anything from Rangers about extending his current deal and he has almost certainly played his last game for the club.
He spent last season on loan at Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town in England’s League one before joining St Johnstone on deadline day last summer.
Holt made a sound impression at Fleetwood, where he made 29 league starts among 36 appearances in all competitions and manager Barton spoke of his eagerness to sign him permanently.
A serious knee injury appeared to have scuppered that but the tenacious midfielder has bounced back this season to make 17 appearances for the Saints, including 15 SPL starts.
Capped by Scotland seven times at Under-21 level, Holt has made 115 appearances for Rangers, which have included 15 goals and 19 assists.
He joined in 2015 from Hearts after being signed by Mark Warburton.
In other Rangers news, it can be REVEALED that Toure is playing an integral role in potential Ibrox transfer.