Rangers are said to be keen on snapping up a bargain midfielder for Derek McInnes this summer. The Gers have had an incredibly busy start to the transfer window already, swapping former boss Danny Rohl for the incoming McInnes and bringing in Lawrence Shankland from Hearts in a good-looking deal that has excited the Ibrox faithful.
McInnes is going to be tasked with bridging the gap to bitter rivals Celtic — and indeed his old club Hearts based on last season’s competitive Scottish Premiership hierarchy — and that will not be an easy task for the new management team, as recent years have proven. Though the Gers have rarely turned to an experienced Scottish boss like McInnes in their recent history, it is certainly going to be an interesting season ahead at Ibrox as they look to reshape the entire squad layout.
Recruitment is going to be absolutely key to any potential success in the upcoming campaign, and securing the services of a prolific goalscorer like Shankland is a good start, as is the addition of experienced Bristol City defender Ross McCrorie, who has officially returned to the club. However, the club’s hierarchy knows that more signings must follow if they are to genuinely compete on all fronts both domestically and in European competition.
Rangers did some highly impressive business by re-signing McCrorie on a bargain fee, which is believed to be in the region of £2million. McCrorie is a reliable, versatile defender who barely missed a single game for Bristol City last season and brings a wealth of tactical flexibility back to Glasgow. Such smart, cost-effective deals will be crucial in padding out McInnes’ squad depth, and reports now suggest soon-to-be former Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil could be the next major addition through the door.
Neil is officially out of contract at the Stadium of Light this summer and will not be offered a new deal by his boyhood club, having spent the second half of last season out on loan with Ipswich Town. Neil previously won promotion with Sunderland but found himself gradually edged out of the starting lineup after a summer of incredibly strong recruitment by the Black Cats last year left him facing intense competition for places in the center of the park.
After registering limited appearances in the first part of the year in the Championship, he chose to join the Tractor Boys on loan during the January window and successfully won promotion to the Premier League with them, making 16 crucial league appearances along the way under a progressive system.
According to respected journalist Ben Jacobs, Neil is now in incredibly high demand across the United Kingdom as he actively searches for a new permanent club to call home, with Rangers, West Ham United, and Premier League newcomers Hull City all heavily interested in offering him a contract. Naturally, because his deal has expired, Neil is available on a highly lucrative free transfer, which appeals massively to teams looking to balance their financial sheets.
Neil has been widely described by those who have worked with him as being a remarkably hard-working player who possesses immense tactical ‘intelligence’ on the pitch. Neil was heavily praised by Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris for keeping his head down, maintaining a highly professional attitude, and working tirelessly behind the scenes even when he was restricted to limited first-team appearances last season.
Le Bris spoke warmly about the player’s application after a brief cameo appearance back in September, stating: “It’s really positive. And it shows that if you work hard and stay connected with what we are doing, you will have your opportunity. It was the case today so I’m happy for him. Also for Chris Riggy and the players who came off the bench and showed their qualities. For the others, it shows that if they stay connected then they will have the opportunity to help the squad.”
Meanwhile, now former Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna also praised the midfielder’s output around a month after Neil’s arrival at Portman Road, highlighting his quick adjustment to a brand new environment: “He has, of course, started, so we believe he is ready to come in and start games. With the cup game, that’s two starts he has had now so that’s really useful. There is an adjustment when you go to a new club and I think he has made the tactical adjustment fantastically well. He has shown his intelligence and experience as a footballer.”
McKenna continued to elaborate on the physical demands placed on the player during his crucial loan spell, adding further context to his development: “I think, compared to most teams and most clubs, there is a physical adjustment to how we want to play and train, especially in the role he played the other night. But again, I thought he adapted to that really well the other night. Now, is he ready to do that for 90 minutes twice a week? I think that will probably be a bit too much or too soon – and too much of a risk. But he has recovered well this week and showed good things the other night.”
The race for his signature is expected to heat up significantly over the coming weeks as clubs return for pre-season training. For Rangers, securing a player of Neil’s caliber without a transfer fee represents the exact type of modern market efficiency required to build a sustainable and highly competitive roster. With Premier League interest lingering from West Ham and Hull City, McInnes will need to pitch a guaranteed starting role and the allure of European football at Ibrox to win the race. Fans are eager to see if the board can close this deal quickly to give the new manager the tools he needs for the title charge.
