If a recent report from The Scotsman is believed to be true, Rangers have reignited their interest in Dan Neil. But they are not alone in the race, as the Sunderland midfielder is on the radar of several teams south of the border, including Ipswich Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Coventry City.
The 24-year-old former England youth international spent a brief stint with Hebburn Town before joining the Black Cats’ academy ranks. There, he impressed in the middle of the park and went on to make more than 200 first-team appearances for his boyhood club. Neil played his part in their promotion to the Championship and the Premier League. But he was eventually loaned out to Ipswich Town earlier this year after failing to stake a claim in Regis Le Bris’ first-team plans in the top-flight of English football.
Neil’s arrival bolstered Kieran McKenna, who guided his men to claim an immediate Premier League return. The midfield maestro was deployed 16 times in the Championship, and the back-to-back promotions with Sunderland and Ipswich have now made him a man in demand ahead of the summer window.
Rangers endured yet another dreadful season, as a dismal losing streak in the split-phase derailed them from the Premiership race. Celtic eventually conquered the coveted crown, scripting a late win against Hearts and their Old Firm rivals are now expected to undergo another busy few months to be relevant again in the title hunt.
Why Rangers Should Bring Him In
While it remains to be seen whether Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers will stick with Danny Rohl next season, the club must focus on quality additions over quantity to redeem their lost pride. They have ample options in the centre of the pitch, as Nicolas Raskin, Tochi Chukwuani, Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande are challenging each other for the starting spots. However, a leadership crisis could hit them soon, with James Tavernier parting ways, drawing an end to an illustrious career.
Although Rangers prefer to keep hold of Raskin for at least one more season, the growing interest in the Belgian might force them to sanction a summer exit. Neil, who captained Sunderland last year en route to scripting their Premier League promotion, would be a high-profile signing for the Glasgow giants.
The Light Blues tried to bring him to Ibrox in January. But Ipswich Town paid a significantly higher loan fee to secure his services at Portman Road. His contract at the Stadium of Light expires by the end of this season, and having him on a Bosman would be a massive boost, given his experience and expertise as a deep-lying playmaker.
