Few players have improved quite as much since Rangers appointed Pedro Caixinha as midfielder Jason Holt.
It’s fair to say the Pedro Caixinha effect is taking shape at Rangers. After a stuttering start, the Ibrox giants have now won their last two Scottish Premiership games and have three successive clean sheets in the bag, the Evening Times reports.
Sunday’s 2-0 win against Partick Thistle maintained the upturn in form ahead of next week’s crunch clash with Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
And one player epitomises Caixinha’s impact more than any other – combative midfielder Jason Holt.
A useful squad player under previous manager Mark Warburton, Holt is now an undisputed starter under the Portuguese with his energy and tenacity in a deeper midfield role laying the platform for an increasingly sturdy defence.
And Caixinha has not wasted an opportunity to laud the 27-year-old’s increasingly effective displays.
“Jason is that type of player that all the coaches like to have,” the manager said in quotes repoted by the Evening Times. “He’s fantastic, he’s so humble, he’s so energetic and his batteries are like those rabbits’ that are never stopping.
“He’s a guy that is committed to playing a proactive game all the time so I’m very pleased with him.
“He’s giving us a lot and, of course, it’s that type of player you like to have in your squad because of his consistency and what you can expect from him. It’s always present on the pitch.”
Holt has started 27 league games in Rangers colours this season, including each of Caixinha’s five games at the helm.
As such, the centre of the midfield, deemed something of a weak spot prior to the manager’s arrival, now appears arguably the strongest section of Rangers’ squad with Holt’s performances ensuring that the club can direct its funds at improving their options in an often underwhelming attack in the summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
