Rangers target labelled a 'culture leader' as EPL teammate makes transfer confession
Rangers have been linked with Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil throughout the transfer window.
Rangers transfer target Dan Neil has been labelled as a ‘culture leader’ by one of his Sunderland teammates as he appears to move closer to a Stadium of Light exit.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been linked with a transfer to Ibrox throughout the winter transfer window after entering the final six months of his deal on Wearside, and looks set to depart in the next week after being left out of the Black Cats’ squad for their 3-1 defeat to West Ham United at the weekend due to a minor niggle.
Despite captaining his boyhood club to the English Premier League via the EFL Championship playoffs last season, Neil has struggled for regular game time following Sunderland’s promotion, playing just 13 minutes of league football. Alongside Rangers, the Englishman has interest from West Ham United, Koln, and Sheffield United.
Another who has found regular minutes hard to come by following the club’s return to the top flight is Sunderland teammate Luke O’Nien, who shared his thoughts on Neil’s future as he lifted the lid on the impact he has had on the club’s dressing room.
"I think everybody wants to play," said O’Nien. “There's only 11 spots, it's competitive. I just try to be a good teammate, the same things I did in League One but hopefully a better version of myself. The ones that aren't playing, they set the culture at the football club. You can argue it's not going for them at the minute, the same with me, I'm not playing, but for the people who aren't playing every minute, they're the ones who set the tone.
“So when they're on their recovery day tomorrow, how hard are they training? I always say these guys have done so well. I'm so proud of them. They keep pushing the standards. Those guys are the reason we got promoted last season.
Reports at the weekend had indicated that Rangers had emerged as frontrunners to sign Neil, with the Sheffield Star claiming he was ‘leaning towards a move to Glasgow’. In contrast to those reports, it was also claimed West Ham had stolen a march in the quest to bring him to the London Stadium.
While speculation on his future continues to swirl, long-time teammate O’Nien says the former Black Cats captain has remained professional throughout and detailed the qualities he can bring to a dressing room, wherever he ends up next.
“You see Dan Neil pushing the starters as hard as he can,” said O’Nien. “He's supported this club since day one, think of how much he's given this club, it's been one of my proudest things seeing his journey. On paper it's not going for him and he's not playing, but I'm so proud of how hard he's trained every day.
“I wish people from the outside could see how important he's been in driving the standards. Him, Simon Moore, Leo [Hjelde], the young lads who don't travel but train so well every day. I wish everyone could see it. I'm so proud of them."
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