Ian Durrant frightened by Rangers prospect as Barry Ferguson and Dan Neil comparison emerges
After an underwhelming start to the season, the English midfielder became the hero at Ibrox, captaining the Gers to a dominant 3-0 victory over Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.
The 24-year-old not only scored a brace in his first Old Firm derby, but was instrumental in organising the team on the pitch.
Derek McInnes had his team man-mark Celtic at Ibrox and Neil was one of the players who led from the front.
In Lawrence Shankland's absence, the former Sunderland ace will don the armband for the Light Blues and did it justice against Martin O'Neill's team.
The Englishman was one of the 14 new players the Govan side signed in the summer, leading to a major change in G51.
Can Dan Neil be the next Barry Ferguson at Rangers?
Neil has slowly found his feet at Rangers and his qualities were evident after two magnificent strikes in the derby.
McInnes sanctioned a major overhaul in the Gers' engine room during the transfer window, and it seems to be paying off.
Rangers TV commentator Tom Miller tried to pay Neil a huge tribute, comparing some of his moments in the win over Celtic to the great Barry Ferguson.
Durrant feels the ex-Sunderland ace still has a long way to go but understands where the sentiment is coming from.
What the midfielder, who won nine in a row with the Light Blues, is arguably thrilled to see in Govan is the average age of the engine room.
Speaking on Five Stars VIP on 15 September, Miller said: "We have to mention Neil, who earlier in the season was under a bit of pressure. Lots of questions being asked about his commitment and qualities.
"Ian, did you see a hint or two of Barry Ferguson in Neil's play during the weekend?"
Durrant responded: "He's got a lot to do, but I can see where you're coming from. He started the way we played on Sunday. He and Nicolas Raskin in the middle of the park were magnificent.
"I was sitting at one point in the game on Sunday and I remember saying to Barry about the average age of the team.
"You look in the middle of the park with Celtic's experience. The average age of our team is frightening. And Neil, 24; he looks as though he could be anything."
Why Dan Neil heroics is bad news for one player at Ibrox
In anticipation of Raskin possibly leaving Rangers in the summer, the recruitment team invested heavily in the middle of the park.
Neil, Cammy Devlin and Vanja Dragojevic signed for the Gers, while Connor Barron, Lyall Cameron and Mohamed Diomande left.
The Belgium international surprisingly stayed at the Light Blues and is forming a winning partnership with the ex-Sunderland ace in midfield.
Devling and Dragojevic will have to fight for their minutes at Ibrox, just like Tochi Chukwuani.
While McInnes signed the former two, the Danish midfielder joined the Glaswegian outfit in the winter transfer window to support Danny Rohl's push for the league title.
With Neil thriving, it feels like the ex-Sturm Graz ace will probably come out as the biggest loser in G51 and it wouldn't be surprising to see him leave in January for regular game time elsewhere.