Rangers told they would be ‘lucky’ to sign Dan Neil as competition for signature heats up
Rangers want to sign Sunderland star Dan Neil on a free transfer this summer, but face competition from other UK clubs and sides abroad.
The Bears are in for a “summer of change” according to Andrew Cavenagh, as the 49ers look set to back Danny Rohl in the transfer market.
Midfield is just one area where Gers are looking to improve, despite the arrival of Tochi Chukwuani in the winter window.
It’s not clear how much Cavenagh is willing to spend, but shrewd business is still on his mind, as Neil’s contract with Sunderland is set to expire in the summer.
Rangers could have a new-look midfield at the start of next season, but it might not be as easy as they first hoped to land their Premier League target.
🚨 RANGERS TRANSFER UPDATE 🚨
The latest breaking news on signings, departures, and Danny Röhl’s primary targets.
George Hirst lauds team-mate Dan Neil amid Rangers links
Neil has been edging closer to joining Rangers in recent weeks, as it looks unlikely for him to stay with newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town, whom he spent the second half of the season on loan with in the Championship.
The 24-year-old will be returning to Sunderland following the expiration of his loan deal, but he looks all but set to leave the Black Cats once his contract at the Stadium of Light runs out in June.
| Area of game | Stats |
| Games | 16 |
| Tackles per 90 | 3.27 |
| Duels won | 55.6% |
| Passing accuracy | 82.5% |
Neil’s Ipswich Town team-mate George Hirst played a big part in helping get the Tractor Boys back to the top-flight of English football.
The striker has been speaking about Neil’s future, insisting that whoever signs him will have a real player on their hands.
Hirst said, as quoted by the Daily Record: “Dan is a quality player, and I can’t say a bad word about him as a guy either. He’s a quality player, on the ball, excellent, as he’s tidy and clean. And off the ball, he does the dirty stuff as well.
“I haven’t spoken to him, so I don’t know where he’ll end up going. But whoever gets him will be lucky to have him.”
Rangers are pushing to sign leaders this summer, and Neil is one, having captained Sunderland back to the Premier League just over 12 months ago.
The Englishman did make three appearances in the Premier League before heading on loan to Ipswich, and would be a real coup at Scottish Premiership level.
Who would Dan Neil play next to?
Neil often played in a double pivot at both Sunderland and Ipswich. At Ipswich, he was partnered with midfielder Azor Matusawa, a player who is very similar to Chukwuani, as manager Kieran McKenna played a 4-2-3-1 formation.
For Sunderland, Neil also played in the heart of a 4-2-31 formation, but next to a more creative spark in Jobe Bellingham, but in both sides he achieved promotion.
Given his ability to play next to these two different types of profiles, it looks possible that he could play next to either Chukwuani or Nicolas Raskin.
It may just be up to Rohl, who may even go with three in the middle of the park next season for more midfield control.
Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Rangers Insider Access
Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.