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Did you adjust the clutch switch if so could be coming from the starter motor, starter relay and the ignition switch

There's four different circuits in the ignition switch. The starter circuit is on a different one than the dash lights, power windows, heater fan. Etc.

Unplug the clutch switch and use a stretched out paper clip to jump the two wires in the connector together. That will verify it's a switch-related problem. You can do the same test by installing the factory jumper wire. That same wiring harness is used in trucks with automatic transmissions. Instead of plugging the connector into the non-existent clutch switch, they plug in a short jumper wire. Be aware though that if you do the jumper or the paper clip, you will be able to crank the engine in gear.

You're talking about two different issues. That clutch switch doesn't care how hard the pedal is to push. All it cares about is that you push it far enough to turn the switch on. I'm not certain I know what you mean by "loose", but you obviously realize it's not normal. You might look at the mounting bushings to see if they're worn and allowing the pedal to move sideways and miss hitting the switch. You might have to watch it from under the dash while a helper pushes the pedal. If the pedal is off-center, that would agree with your description of having to hold it just right.