Former Rangers ace released by Steven Gerrard identifies 'biggest difference' in current Ibrox side

Jason Holt played a not insignificant part in what Rangers supporters refer to as ‘The Journey’.

Livingston midfielder Jason Holt battles for possession with Ryan Kent (left) and Glen Kamara during Rangers' 1-0 win at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Wednesday. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Part of the Championship winning squad of 2016 which ended a four-year absence from the top flight, Holt made 116 appearances and scored 15 goals for the Ibrox club before being deemed surplus to requirements by Steven Gerrard.

But the midfielder is among the first to recognise that the Rangers side now on the verge of winning the Premiership title is an entirely different beast to those he played for.

“The biggest difference is their intensity levels and the fact that they are really ruthless,” says Holt.

“There is no let up in matches against them. They are constantly putting pressure on teams and testing teams.”

Holt was on the wrong end of that relentlessness when his Livingston team lost 1-0 to an 87th minute Alfredo Morelos goal on Wednesday evening as Rangers moved to within four points of a first major title win in a decade.

“You know you are going to be in for an extremely difficult game when you play them,” added the 28-year-old.

“You know they are going to be at you for the whole 90 minutes plus stoppage time, however long it takes.

“You have to be at it and on your toes and ready for whatever they throw at you. I felt we were at it and it was disappointing to lose a goal so late in the match.

“But when you play against them, you have to be on your toes all the time.

“They have so many dangerous players. There’s no doubt about it, they are a great team with really great players. We know that. You’re always in for a difficult game when you are up against players of that calibre and they’ve shown that across the whole season.”

The eagerness of Rangers supporters to celebrate their club’s 55th title win was evidenced by the fireworks which lit up the sky behind Livingston’s ground in the 55th minute on Wednesday.

“It was a bit mad, to be fair,” smiled Holt. “As players, it’s out of our control but it did go on for quite a while and I could not hear a thing.”

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