Rangers man Jason Holt looking to regain starting role against Celtic

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Rangers midfielder Jason Holt is on the fringes of a start against Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Rangers midfielder Jason Holt has told the club’s official website that he is looking to prove to Graeme Murty that he is worthy of a start on Sunday afternoon against Celtic, by impressing on the training ground.

Central midfielder Holt, 25, has lost his place in the starting eleven following the form of January recruit Greg Docherty from Hamilton, as the latter continues to form a fine relationship in midfielder with Sean Goss.

It has seen Holt drop to the bench, being left on the bench for the entire match during the Gers’ last Scottish Premiership outing against St. Johnstone – which resulted in a comfortable 4-1 win for Murty’s men.

But Holt has not given up hope of retaining his place in the starting eleven to face Celtic, and believes Rangers boast the confidence required to go and beat their Old Firm rivals for the first time since gaining promotion back to the top tier.

“Yeah of course competition is a good thing,” Holt said. “I think it is healthy. If you’re out of the team you’ll do everything you can to impress the gaffer in training.

“That’ll be the case for me. The two times I’ve played at Celtic Park we’ve came away with a point. We’ll be looking to get a positive result.

“We’re confident because of the performances of late and the results, some of the moves forward and the goals that we’ve scored have been really positive.”

Murty could look to include a number of elder statesmen in his starting eleven in order to combine experience and youthful exuberance in a bid to topple Celtic. With Goss and Docherty aged 22 and 21 respectively, Holt could come in.

But considering the Gers have won nine out of their last 10 games, Murty is expected to stick with the side that comfortably beat Tommy Wright’s St. Johnstone.

However, Declan John could be nearing a return to full fitness and he may replace Andy Halliday at left-back, while Russell Martin is a doubt and Bruno Alves could start alongside David Bates.