Rangers still want Dan Neil despite Derek McInnes development at Ibrox

Rangers remain keen on signing out-of-contract Dan Neil despite the appointment of Derek McInnes.

The Bears have been tipped with interest in the Englishman, who has left Sunderland after his contract at the Stadium of Light expired this summer.

Interest gathered in May, but speculation around the midfielder's future has simmered down in recent weeks.

Danny Rohl's exit raised big questions about what Rangers' plans were to back McInnes, but they remain largely unchanged.

Yet, uncertainty remained over whether the Light Blues would move for Neil or not, as the 24-year-old has multiple clubs tracking him this summer.

However, Rangers are now exploring the possibility of signing Neil, with a decision likely to be made soon.

Rangers face two English clubs to land Dan Neil transfer

Neil was officially released by Sunderland earlier in June, prompting questions about the midfielder's future to once again be raised.

He spent the second half of last season on loan with Ipswich Town, helping the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League, in what was his second promotion to the top flight.

The former Sunderland youth graduate captained the Black Cats to the Premier League during the 2024-25 season, and even managed to make four Premier League appearances last campaign.

According to Ben Jacobs in an update on X this Thursday, Rangers remain interested in Neil, but they are one of three clubs hoping to sign him, with West Ham United and Hull City also keen.

It's perhaps the first example that Rangers have shown that they are still willing to land their initial transfer targets this summer, despite the appointment of McInnes.

Michael Beale knows all about Neil; he loves him

Michael Beale worked with Neil during his time at Sunderland following his Ibrox exit, and was a massive fan of the Rangers-linked man.

Though the former Light Blues head coach failed at the Stadium of Light, he played a role in helping Neil develop in the EFL, becoming the now sought-after player that he is.

Speaking about Neil back in 2024 after a win over Plymouth Argyle, Beale said, as quoted by Sunderland on SI: "We made a tactical change and got Dan free by tying up their midfielders.

“For a fifteen, twenty-minute period Dan had a lot of freedom. He had a really influential second half in all aspects, he won duels, he drove us forward, he played passes.

"In that fifteen, twenty-minute spell we looked a really good team."

Rangers have arguably lacked someone that can do both sides of the game well in the middle of the park, as McInnes is set to assess his options during pre-season.

The new Gers boss is likely to play his preferred 4-4-2 formation, a setup that Neil knows how to thrive in already.