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."