Holt is an ex colleague of the former Rangers striker, as well as current Ibrox manager Graeme Murty.
Ex Rangers striker Steven Naismith would have loved to return to Ibrox in January, according to Gary Holt.
The former Scotland international worked with Naismith, who could face Rangers with new employers Hearts on Saturday, while on the coaching staff at Norwich City.
Speculation that Naismith could sign for Rangers was rife ahead of the January transfer window, with the 31-year-old having found himself out of favour at Carrow Road. But he later joined Hearts on loan after an offer from Ibrox failed to manifest.
Speaking to the Daily Record, however, Holt revealed that Naismith would have welcomed an approach from another of his old colleagues, Graeme Murty.
“He hasn’t spoken much about it but I do know he’d have loved to have gone back there [to Rangers] during the transfer window. That was clear from the chats I had with him,” said the 44-year-old.
Naismith spent five successful seasons at Rangers, with whom he won three Scottish Premiership titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup.
But the 31-year-old was one of several players who severed their Ibrox ties ahead of the club’s demotion to the fourth tier, and chose to continue his career in English football with Everton and Norwich.
Holt added: “I’m not sure how the fans will take to Naisy making his return to Ibrox as we all know the sensitivities concerning the circumstances of how he left. I’m sure he’s hoping to get a good reception but I’m just not sure he’ll get his wish.
“Football supporters can be fickle and some of them will just never forgive something they regard as disloyal or a slight on their club. Naisy knows this and that’s fair enough.
“But when they see a quality player then there can be a bit of forgiveness. They will also recall what he did do for them and the club when he was a Rangers player.”
The Daily Record reported last year that Naismith earns £50,000 a week at Norwich.
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