NafisaThe summer break had only just begun when Rangers moved quickly to confirm they had reached an agreement to sign Lawrence Shankland from one of their domestic Premiership rivals.
After years of speculation, the long-awaited switch to Ibrox finally materialised. A lifelong supporter of the club, the forward had frequently been linked with a return to Glasgow but had consistently remained in Edinburgh despite ongoing interest.
Now, however, the situation has changed, with Shankland making the move from Hearts to Rangers on a free transfer. On paper, it represents a savvy piece of business for the Ibrox side as they secure a proven domestic goalscorer without a transfer fee attached.
Still, despite that early breakthrough, activity since his arrival has been relatively quiet. Given the way last season concluded, there is a growing sense that Rangers cannot afford a slow start to their recruitment drive and must accelerate their business in the coming weeks.
Rangers looking to bag another free transfer:
Shankland’s arrival in Glasgow has certainly injected optimism into Danny Röhl’s squad rebuild, but it is widely accepted that further additions are essential if the Gers are to compete across all fronts next season.
The club’s recruitment strategy in certain areas may also hinge heavily on potential departures. Should Nico Raskin move on, it could open up space in the squad for someone like Elliot Watt to come in and reinforce the midfield unit.
Defensive recruitment is also firmly on the agenda, although any incoming movement could depend on exits at the back. If Emmanuel Fernandez were to depart, that would naturally increase the urgency to bring in a replacement such as Luke Graham, a player Rangers are understood to admire and have already explored in talks.
In midfield, Watt is not the only name being considered, with Sunderland’s Dan Neil also firmly in the frame. The financial appeal of a free transfer makes the situation particularly attractive, especially given the club’s need to operate smartly in the market.
The Sunderland captain is approaching the end of his contract, meaning he could become available without a fee this summer, much like Shankland.
Recent updates from TEAMtalk suggest Rangers are now in ‘active discussions’ with Neil’s representatives as they attempt to push the deal forward.
Despite competition from clubs such as Hull City and Middlesbrough, the Ibrox recruitment team are reportedly ‘hopeful’ they can persuade him to make the move north.
Rangers are also said to be ‘pushing hard’ to finalise an agreement quickly and want clarity on his future as soon as possible.
Why Neil could be Rangers’ new Ryan Jack:
The Steven Gerrard era now feels like a distant memory for Rangers supporters, with the club having struggled to recreate the same consistency since their 2020/21 title triumph.
The run to the Europa League final a year later remains a standout modern achievement, even though it ended in disappointment, but sustained success has been harder to come by in the seasons since.
One of the key figures during that successful spell was midfielder Ryan Jack. Not the most flamboyant presence on the pitch, but an incredibly effective one, he played a crucial role across both domestic and European campaigns.
A disciplined central midfielder who rarely ventured into advanced areas, Jack’s contribution went far beyond goals, with just 16 scored in 210 appearances highlighting his deeper-lying role.
Instead, his value came through control, structure and reliability, regularly dictating tempo with an impressive 90% pass completion rate while also contributing defensively with 2.3 duels won per 90 minutes.
Dan Neil, by comparison, offers a similar profile. As captain during Sunderland’s promotion-winning 2024/25 campaign, he recorded an 84% pass completion rate and, like Jack, operated largely in deeper midfield zones rather than attacking positions.
Over the two seasons analysed, both players registered just two goals each, underlining their shared focus on controlling play rather than influencing the final third.
Neil’s work rate is another standout feature, with the Sunderland midfielder averaging as many as 4.8 duels per 90. While that figure is influenced by a heavier defensive workload, it still highlights his combative nature in midfield.
If a move to Ibrox were to materialise, there is a strong argument that Neil could replicate the same kind of role Jack once played for Rangers — a disciplined, hard-working midfield anchor capable of keeping the team ticking in possession while providing defensive balance.
Nafisa
