Report: Steven Gerrard blocked Jason Holt leaving Rangers permanently

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Glasgow Rangers midfielder Jason Holt will spend the next season away from Ibrox having left on loan.

According to a report from the Daily Mirror’s live transfer blog (18/06; 16:56), Steven Gerrard told Jason Holt that he did not feature in his plans ahead of his first season at Rangers, but the Gers boss decided against allowing the midfielder to leave Ibrox on a permanent basis.

Holt will spend the next season on loan with Fleetwood Town, with former Rangers midfielder Joey Barton taking him to Highbury. It is perhaps little surprise that the 25-year-old has been given the green light to leave given the depth that the Light Blues boast in the middle of the park, especially after they added Ovie Ejaria and Scott Arfield to their ranks.

Some may perhaps assume that Holt’s Ibrox career may essentially be over now that he has left on loan, but the Daily Mirror has hinted that that may not be the case.

The Mirror’s live transfer blog (18/06; 16:56) reports that Gerrard concluded that the former Hearts ace was not in his plans for the coming campaign, but decided that he did not want to lose him on a permanent basis, hence why Holt has only moved to the League One side for a season.

Gerrard’s apparent desire to not bring a definitive end to Holt’s Rangers career is potentially an inspired decision from the Englishman. The midfielder now joins Fleetwood with a real point to prove knowing that Gerrard will be willing to open the door to him upon his return if he makes a serious impact.

But with Fleetwood not having to deal with anything like the expectation that Rangers face coping with next year, it seems fair to suggest that Holt may perhaps have to enjoy a stunning season if he hopes to force his way back into the Gers’ plans.