Rangers recruit earns Barry Ferguson seal of approval - 'my mates were worried but I had no doubt'

Barry Ferguson has spent enough time around a Rangers dressing room to recognise that leadership cannot simply be handed to a player with a captain's armband. It has to be earned, often during difficult periods when confidence is low and scrutiny is at its highest high.

That is why the Ibrox great has taken particular satisfaction from the recent emergence of summer signing Dan Neil.

The 24-year-old midfielder endured a slow start to life in Glasgow after arriving from Sunderland, drifting in and out of the starting XI. But Ferguson had seen enough of Neil before his move north of the border to believe he would come good.

Dan Neil has overcome a challenging start to his Rangers career in recent weeks | SNS Group

“I had no worries when Rangers signed Dan,” Ferguson admits. “I spoke to a lot of my mates who are Rangers fans. They were worried because, in previous seasons, players have come up from English leagues and struggled but I had no doubt in my mind.

“He's been really impressive and become a real important part of the team. He had a slow start to his Rangers career, but I think you can see now the reason why Rangers chased him. I'd seen Dan play a number of times, and I knew Rangers were getting a real competitor, a leader. He’s only 24, but he shows those qualities. I think this last period of games, certainly the two Celtic games, he's been outstanding.”

Ferguson left ‘so impressed’ after initial chat with Neil

Ferguson was not merely an observer. In his role as Rangers ambassador, he spoke to Neil and his father last season while the club were trying to secure his signature. The conversation left a lasting impression.

“I had a good chat with him and his old man and I came away so impressed by him,” Ferguson revealed. “He showed a real desire to come to Rangers. I don't know who was more excited, me or him!

“I know there were a number of clubs after him, and Rangers did brilliantly to get him. It's always difficult when you don't have a good start, but it shows you how strong a character he is. He's come through that period and I think he's been a real driving force over the last few games. It's great to see that the Rangers supporters are finally seeing his qualities.

“I knew he had that [a strong mentality]. He captained Sunderland, so he's been at a big club and he's handled the expectations really well. He's done the same in the last number of weeks for Rangers.”

Ferguson knows the demands of captaining Rangers better than most. So when he looks at Neil, he recognises something familiar.

“A wee bit at times,” Ferguson responds when asked whether he sees shades of himself in Neil.

It is not a comparison made lightly. Ferguson skippered Rangers while still young and understands the challenge of carrying responsibility in a dressing room populated by experienced players. Neil has faced a similar transition amid understandable scrutiny before gradually establishing himself and developing into an increasingly influential figure.

"It's how they take to it," Ferguson explains. "I was lucky I had a lot of guys I could lean on. Dan had the same grounding at Sunderland, and now he's come to Rangers and he's still young at 24. But he's handling the responsibility brilliantly, and it's not affecting his game, that's the most important thing."

Ferguson sees Rangers partnerships growing

Another encouraging development has been Neil's growing partnership with Nico Raskin. Ferguson reckons the Belgian international is benefiting from having a player of Neil's character alongside him.

“Good teams and successful teams build relationships,” he says. “I think him and Dan are certainly building one in the middle of the pitch just now. They've still got a bit of growing to go, but I'm seeing that more and more with each game. There were a couple of big tests that came up and they passed those with flying colours.”

Barry Ferguson during a Rangers Tennent's Sixes photocall at the Rangers Training Centre | SNS Group

That sense of connection extends elsewhere. Ferguson has also been impressed by the defensive partnerships taking shape and the understanding emerging between Rangers' forwards.

Ryan Naderi is one player whose recent performances have particularly caught his eye. After facing criticism earlier in the campaign, he responded with two impressive displays against Celtic, culminating in the match-winning goal at Celtic Park.

“It shows he's got something about him, that's what you need if you want to be a successful Rangers player,” Ferguson says. “I just love his work ethic. I'm a big believer in if you work hard, you're going to get the rewards.

“He's still a work in progress, there's a lot more to come from him, but from what I've seen over the last number of weeks, I've been impressed. He's showing the right qualities that he can be [a top striker].”

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