Rangers have completed the signing of 24‑year‑old Dan Neil on a three‑year contract, with the forward saying the Ibrox side "fit all the criteria" after seeking advice from former striker Jermain Defoe.

Why did Neil choose Rangers?

Neil explained that he was looking for specific characteristics in a club that matched his personal and footballing goals. After speaking with Defoe and former manager Graeme Murty, he felt the club offered the right blend of ambition, community and facilities. "They all spoke glowingly of the club and the area," he told Rangers TV, adding that the chance to fight for trophies in Glasgow was a major draw.

How does his arrival fit into the current squad?

Neil joins a Rangers side that sits second in the Premiership with 69 points from 33 games (19W‑12D‑2L) and a recent form of W‑L‑L‑L‑L, though they are on a two‑game winning run. The team has scored 66 goals and conceded 31, a +35 goal difference, and sits just one point behind leaders Heart of Midlothian. Adding a versatile forward who likes to dictate play could give Derek McInnes more options up front as the title race tightens.

What does Neil bring to the pitch?

The former Sunderland and Ipswich player describes himself as a ball‑winning midfielder who enjoys dictating the tempo and talking on the pitch. His experience includes a loan spell that helped Ipswich win promotion to the Premier League, and he admires Defoe’s record of 32 goals in 74 Rangers appearances during the 2020‑21 title‑winning campaign.

What’s next for the new signing?

Neil’s first competitive appearance could come soon, with Rangers looking to build momentum after a 5‑2 victory over Falkirk on 16 May 2026. The club hopes his arrival will bolster their attack as they chase the league crown, while he aims to repay the faith shown by the coaching staff and fans alike.

Rangers remain on a two‑game winning streak, eager to close the one‑point gap at the top and add another trophy to their cabinet.