Fleetwood Town midfielder Holt is happy to listen and learn

Holt has won the Scottish Championship twice and lifted the Scottish Challenge Cup during his career but the 25-year-old is now a key part of Joey Barton’s line-up.

Barton swooped early in the window to bring his former Ibrox team-mate to Highbury and also secured the services of another one-time colleague, former Burnley midfielder Dean Marney.

The duo are currently building up a midfield partnership with Holt hoping they play their fifth league game together in midfield against Bradford City today.

Barton switched Town’s shape to 4-4-2 for the last two league games, beating Scunthorpe United 5-0 and drawing 0-0 with Charlton Athletic.

However, Holt and Marney were left out of Town’s midweek League Cup thrashing at Leicester City as Harrison Biggins and Nathan Sheron’s performances were positives for coach Barry Nicholson.

James Wallace also came off the bench to make his Town debut, and with Kyle Dempsey also able to feature in the middle, Holt says all of the midfield contenders are comfortable alongside each other – but is enjoying his partnership with Marney.

He said: “I think we have played the last four games together.

“I’ve really enjoyed it because obviously Marns (Marney) has played at the highest level so I am constantly learning from him and any tips and watching how he goes about his game and his day-to-day training; I have really enjoyed it.

“I think Marns will say the same; whoever you play in there, in training and the trips away, we have all formed really good partnerships both on and off the field.

“I think whoever plays together in there will have no problems.”

Holt also added there is competition across the board, not just in the middle of the park.

He said: “I think competition is very healthy for the squad.

“If you have got the shirt you can’t slack off or let your standards slip because there is someone waiting to take your shirt.

“My aim is to keep hold of that shirt and keep my spot.”