Dan Neil’s Rangers Breakthrough in Old Firm Victory

Dan Neil takes centre stage in Rangers’ Old Firm victory

Dan Neil produced the defining performance as Rangers defeated Celtic 3–0 on Sunday to reach the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.

The 24-year-old midfielder scored twice and helped Rangers control the match from the centre of the pitch. His display prompted former Rangers player Peter Lovenkrands to compare him with Barry Ferguson, the influential former Ibrox captain.

Lovenkrands’ assessment was not based solely on Neil’s goals. He praised the midfielder’s passing, composure and ability to dictate the game, describing the performance as the closest he had seen to Ferguson’s midfield influence since Ferguson himself.

Neil opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a low finish from the edge of the penalty area. He added a second goal late in the match, completing an outstanding individual display in Rangers’ emphatic victory.

Leadership as well as attacking quality

Neil joined Rangers on a three-year contract in July and was quickly included in manager Derek McInnes’ leadership group. He wore the captain’s armband against Celtic in the absence of Lawrence Shankland.

The match was Neil’s first Old Firm derby, but he appeared comfortable in a demanding midfield contest. He lined up alongside Nicolas Raskin and James Penrice, who moved inside from left-back.

McInnes said Rangers had identified the space around the edge of Celtic’s penalty area as an area they could exploit if their attacks were structured properly. Neil’s goals showed the quality needed to take advantage of that plan, but the manager also credited his broader performance and the contributions of Raskin and Penrice.

Neil’s ability to combine responsibility with forward movement was particularly valuable. He was not simply a holding midfielder directing play; he also found opportunities to attack the penalty area and finish decisively.

Why the Ferguson comparison matters

Comparisons with Barry Ferguson carry considerable weight at Rangers. Ferguson was known for his influence in midfield, and Lovenkrands said he had not seen a performance like Neil’s since Ferguson’s time at the club.

Neil is not being presented as Ferguson’s equivalent after one game. The comparison reflects the impression he made on this occasion: he controlled possession, linked Rangers’ phases of play and repeatedly made effective decisions under pressure.

His performance also came against Celtic midfielders Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren. At one point, Neil turned McGregor and escaped pressure, underlining the confidence he displayed throughout the match.

For Rangers, the more meaningful question will be whether Neil can reproduce that level over time. The Celtic victory was his finest showing for the club so far, but sustained influence across the season will determine whether the Ferguson comparison develops beyond a striking post-match observation.

What the result means for Rangers

The 3–0 win sends Rangers into the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals and gives McInnes a significant result in the Old Firm derby.

The midfield performance was central to the victory. Rangers gained the ascendancy through the combined work of Neil, Raskin and Penrice, while Neil’s finishing gave the result its decisive shape.

The match therefore represented more than a two-goal contribution from a player who joined Rangers in July. It suggested that Neil can be a leader, a controller of possession and a source of goals in major matches.

Sources

• BBC Sport, “Ferguson-esque Neil ‘ran the show’ for Rangers,” published 14 September 2026: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crl62l7z6p4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss