Derek McInnes patience edges closer to reward after Dan Neil exploits vs Motherwell

Derek McInnes has persisted with playing Dan Neil despite external pressures at Rangers.

The Gers landed the in-demand midfielder early on in the window, as they beat a number of UK clubs to his signature.

The former Sunderland man helped captain the Black Cats to the Premier League, and on paper, looked to be a smart recruit for free.

However, Neil has had a tough start to life at Ibrox, with some even suggesting Connor Barron should not have been let go due to the former's early displays.

But McInnes has been patient with the 24-year-old, putting trust in him to control the middle of the park.

Rangers' win over Motherwell on Saturday was perhaps Neil's best performance for the Light Blues, as the data proves.

The data shows Dan Neil's patience about to be rewarded

Neil has started just two league games so far, but has been used by McInnes in other competitions, too.

The ex-Sunderland star has played eight times for the Bears since joining, and many believe his performance against the Steelmen was the best of the lot.

He earned his best FotMob rating in a Rangers shirt to date, with a 7.5 score at the end of the game.

He completed 85 per cent of his passes, with eight of which being passes into the final third.

He completed all six of his attempted long balls, while getting stuck in defensively with five tackles and a 71 per cent ground duel success rate.

Nicolas Raskin only earned a 6.6 rating, despite being valued at over £20million by the club.

Neil is someone who deserved to play in the Premier League with Sunderland, and Rangers have seen the first step towards potentially being hailed for making the bargain signing of the summer.

Should Nicolas Raskin remain next to Neil in midfield?

Controversy remains over Raskin, who looks set to remain at Ibrox until January at the very least.

The Belgium international is clearly one of, if not Rangers' best, players, but hasn't looked all that interested in the way Neil has in recent games.

If that continues, McInnes will have no other option but to drop him.

If that were to happen, Tochi Chukwuani would be a deserving partner in the middle of the park next to Neil, and he has only underperformed so far this season due to being played in an unnatural, advanced role.

Let's see what the future holds for Rangers' midfield and Neil.