Ex-Rangers midfielder Alex Rae insists Halliday and Holt must be involved for Gers, whatever happens

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The pair were instrumental in guiding Mark Warburton’s Glasgow Rangers side to the Scottish Championship title last season.

Rangers’ manager Mark Warburton

Former Rangers midfielder Alex Rae has insisted that whatever happens regarding Joey Barton, Andy Halliday and Jason Holt must feature prominently in Mark Warburton’s plans, the Daily Record reports.

The pair were key men during the Gers’ successful run to the Scottish Championship title last season, but with Holt spending much of the early part of this campaign on the sidelines due to injury, while Halliday previously had to battle with Barton for a place in the team, they had not been able to be as influential this term.

Andy Halliday

But with Barton temporarily out of the picture, and Holt now back to full fitness it seems, Rae has suggested that Warburton needs to stick with the pair if he hopes to rekindle the formula that led them to success last season.

“I saw a fair bit of Holt and Halliday last season when St Mirren were in the same division as Rangers and although obviously they have stepped up a standard by playing in the Premiership, there’s no doubt those two are comfortable playing at that level,” he said, as reported by the Daily Record.

Jason Holt

“The balance was upset when Joey Barton came in. Halliday was out the team and I think the manager has admitted to making a mistake by leaving him out of the Old Firm game. Holt had been injured but he’s now back as well. Obviously, I don’t know if Joey will be back but whatever happens, I think Halliday and Holt have to be in that team.”

Since Holt returned to the side for the goalless draw with Ross County, Rangers have arguably put together their best run of performances in the top flight since their promotion.

Though the results have not always been ideal – apart from the victory over Partick Thistle – the side’s displays have looked much stronger, and Rae would probably suggest that it is largely thanks to the midfield pair that the side has enjoyed a slight upturn in form.