Rangers 'fit all the criteria' for Neil after Defoe advice

Dan Neil playing for Sunderland against Hearts in 2025 [SNS]Dan Neil sought advice from Jermain Defoe before joining Rangers and believes the Ibrox club has the right "characteristics".

>Neil has signed a three-year with Derek McInnes' side after eight years at Sunderland and a short loan spell at Ipswich Town last season in which he helped the Tractor Boys win promotions to the Premier League.

>Former Sunderland striker Defoe scored 32 goals in 74 Rangers appearances, helping them win the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership.

>"I'm still only 24 and going into free agency was a bit of a weird one," Neil told Rangers TV.

>"I was looking at certain characteristics in football clubs in what I wanted and what drives me as a footballer and a person. Rangers fit all the criteria.

>"I spoke to Jermain Defoe, I spoke to [former Rangers manager] Graeme Murty. They were the main ones.

>"[Scotland and former Sunderland forward] Ross Stewart was from Glasgow so I spoke to him about the area and things.

>"They all spoke glowingly of the club and the area.

>"It's a chance to fight for trophies and fight for titles. Football is everything in this city."

>Neil, who wishes the Black Cats "nothing but the best", had been linked with a move to Ibrox for some time and says he talked with new manager McInnes "quite soon after he got appointed".

>"I came here a few months ago and had a little tour," Neil explained. "It's an amazing football stadium."

>And of his playing style, he explained: "I like to try and get on the ball and try and dictate games as much as I can. I'm a bit of a talker on the pitch as well."