Neil is hoping to make his mark on the Rangers midfield but one man fancies him to do more than that
22:30, 10 Jul 2026
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New Rangers signing Dan Neil(Image: Luke Nickerson/Rangers FC/Shutterstock)
Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips expects Dan Neil to instantly earn the respect of his new Rangers team-mates – and perhaps even claim the Ibrox captaincy.
But Ibrox sources have kiboshed talk of former loan winger Vaclav Cerny being among them, knocking down rumours in Turkey they have lodged a £6million bid with Beskitas.
Ex-Black Cats midfielder Neil has joined Gers just 12 months on from skippering his boyhood heroes to Premier League promotion.
Neil, 24, had hoped to continue that role in the top flight but saw his dreams dashed by the £13million signing of Granit Xhaka.
The former Arsenal ace took both his starting slot and the armband as Regis le Bris’ side went on to record a remarkable seventh-place finish after an eight-year absence from England’s top division.
But former Stadium of Light icon Phillips has no doubt Neil will now be the man causing a shake-up at Ibrox.
And with new Ibrox gaffer Derek McInnes weighing up candidates to replace departed captain James Tavernier, Phillips insists Neil should be a leading contender.
He told Record Sport: “I think he’ll walk into that dressing room and hold his own for sure.
“He’s got experience. He’s been at a big football club. He’s played in some big games in terms of the North East Derby.
“I think all players respect each other and he’ll certainly get that. And I think what they’ll also respect is that they’re getting a good player.
“If I was a player in that dressing room and you signed Dan, you know, you’re getting an exciting player.
Kevin Phillips.
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Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips(Image: Under the Cosh/YouTube)
“Technically very, very good. Box-to-box player, can score goals. So I think from Rangers’ point of view and the players’ point of view, when a player like that walks through the door, yes, you have to give him the respect because he’s played in the Premier League, arguably the best league in the world.”
Neil could be joined at Ibrox in the next few days by Cammy Devlin, with reports claiming the former Hearts ace is close to agreeing a reunion with McInnes after Tynecastle.
Meanwhile, Phillips has backed Jack Butland to prove his Ibrox critics wrong at Hull.
The 33-year-old former England international is back in the Premier League after swapping places with new Gers No.1 Ivor Pandur.
McInnes decided to overhaul the goalkeeping department at Ibrox after watching Butland suffer another campaign of fluctuating form while he was in charge at Hearts last term.
But Phillips has backed his former Birmingham team-mate to roar back to his best with the Tigers.
He said: “Thirty-three is nothing nowadays. For a goalkeeper, yes, they put a lot of strain on their body, but 33 years of age is nothing.
“Jack looks after himself. I know him. I played with him at Birmingham. I think they’ve paid around £3million for him. I think it could be a massive bargain.
“He played every minute for Rangers last year. So that’s going to help him. He’s fit. I think it could be a really, really good signing for Hull.
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“He’s got that experience, and that’s what you need when you’re trying to stay in the Premier League. For me, it’s a good signing.”