Striker Grant Holt today reflected on hitting 20 goals for Shrewsbury Town before the turn of the year by declaring: “Promotion is the only thing that bothers me.”

Holt continued his exceptional scoring record with two goals in as many games over the Christmas period against Rochdale and Bury.

It means the 26-year-old has now found the net 20 times, and is almost certain to beat his previous record for a season which is 24 for Rochdale.

But record transfer Holt insists he is only concerned with helping Town out of League Two.

“It’s nice to score goals and, to get them this early on, I am obviously delighted with how it has gone,” said Holt.

“But it’s all about the team and it doesn’t mean much when I score and we get beat like at Rochdale on Friday.

“As long as we keep coming off with the wins, I wouldn’t care if the centre half went and got 20 a season.

“I’m here to get promoted and that’s what I want.

“I’m not bothered about targets or records or anything like that – if they come along very nice but the team is the main objective.” 

Manager Paul Simpson admitted he was delighted with Holt’s return – and backed him to retain the hunger to kick on in 2009.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for Grant and our football team,” added the Town chief.

“Nobody can take that away from him and we have to make the most of that. There is no point having a player who gets 20 or more goals in a season and you don’t get something from it.

“To be honest, I didn’t set any targets. I wanted to bring him in because I thought he would be a good addition to our squad and he has definitely proved to be that way.

“Hopefully he will now get even more and I know the way he is he won’t rest on 20 goals – he will want more.”

By James Garrison