24 Jun 2026 13:16:44
Word going round is that Dan Neil could be announced as early as next week.
24 Jun 2026 13:34:15
It's dragged on for weeks, mate. Not so sure if the boy is as desperate to come here as he should be.
24 Jun 2026 13:40:37
His contract expires next Tuesday. Free to sign a contract on 1/7 as previously indicated.
24 Jun 2026 13:48:17
Manager upheaval just dragged it out a bit longer.
Decent signing.
24 Jun 2026 14:24:15
Neil has already agreed to sign for us. As John said, his Sunderland contract is up next Tuesday and once that expires he is signing for us.
24 Jun 2026 14:26:46
What's the story? No, it never. He cannot sign for a club before 1/7 or a fee would need to be paid.
24 Jun 2026 14:29:00
He could sign a pre contract with another club anytime within the last 6 months of his current deal. He doesn't have to wait until 1/7.
24 Jun 2026 14:36:08
Restore two to tally different things, he has chosen not to sign a pre contract with another club.
24 Jun 2026 14:52:05
Choosing not to sign a pre contract any time in the last 6 months suggests he was waiting and hoping for a better offer to come along. I'd rather have Barron who wants to play for us and gives his all even if he isn't as good as Neil.
PS - I've never heard of Dan or seen him play so he may be on a par with Barron, he may be better. No idea.
24 Jun 2026 15:02:26
Restore, still contracted to a club, said as much a few weeks ago. John is spot on. He signs before his contract has ended. We'd need to pay his club a fee. Niel performs as well as he did for Sunderland. It won't be long before he's loved as a Rangers player. Really like what Barron brings, but Niel is at a different level, more technical and a far better range of passing.
Really can't wait until he's signed, elite engine, leadership, vocal on the park, couple of things we've missed for years, and scores some belters from outside the area as well, left footed but very capable with his right.
Wonder when he signs if he'll tell us about being at Rangers before we were even linked with him.
24 Jun 2026 15:07:01
Rangers games that should have been.
24 Jun 2026 15:13:42
No, that's not true, Star. He could sign a pre contract with another club outwith England anytime within the last 6 months of his current deal. He doesn't have to wait until 1/7. It's called the Bosman ruling.
In England, a player wishing to sign a pre-contract with another club in the same league must generally wait until there is one month or less remaining on their contract.
24 Jun 2026 15:15:19
We wouldn't need to pay a transfer fee for Neil as he was in his last 6 months of contract, so he could have signed 6 months ago, no problem. But with him only being 24, we would maybe need to pay a small price for development, but we will see what happens with this 1. I think he would be a good player for us.
24 Jun 2026 15:16:50
John, no, it's not. Under FIFA regulations, a player aged 23 or older can officially sign a pre-contract with a foreign club (a club in a different association) at any time during the last six months of their contract. At any time!
24 Jun 2026 15:21:46
Ryan, specific restrictions protect academy development and youth compensation, meaning players under 23 may still be subject to compensation or transfer fees even after a contract expires. There is no fee to be paid at all.
24 Jun 2026 15:24:16
Restore, he still has a contact until next Tuesday.
24 Jun 2026 15:30:24
So what, Star. That's completely irrelevant. I have just copied and posted the exact rules for you to read, and you are still trying to suggest I'm wrong.
24 Jun 2026 15:30:45
Restore, u totally miss my point. He has not signed for anyone yet as he is under contract.
He has chosen not to sign a pre contract.
24 Jun 2026 15:37:14
Dan Neil, or any other player who is free to negotiate whilst under contract, could have provisionally agreed terms in principle (common) or even signed a full pre-contract (not so common) with Rangers, and the club may choose not to formally announce it until the timing suits all parties.
If it is a true pre-contract, it's typically a binding agreement that comes into effect immediately once his current contract expires.
In practice, players typically don't sign full pre-contracts - even though this is the commonly used language - they would have an agreement in principle, and delays in announcement are usually down to finalising details, administrative steps, or conditions such as medicals being completed before everything is formally confirmed.
24 Jun 2026 15:39:20
Sorry, John.
In this instance, you are incorrect.
Sunderland confirmed they were releasing him on a free transfer a matter of weeks ago.
He had verbally agreed a deal with us before they went on holiday. The manager situation just dragged things out a bit, but him signing on a free was always the likely outcome.
24 Jun 2026 15:39:43
John, his contract status is not the reason why he has not signed for another club. He is legally entitled under the Bosman ruling to sign for another club.
I suspect TFK hit the nail on the head with his reason.
24 Jun 2026 15:43:20
Restore, but he's not signed any pre-contract, he is still contacted until next Tuesday, clearly giving himself different options.
24 Jun 2026 15:46:51
He may be delaying out of respect for his contract with Sunderland, but the fact that he has not signed an extension with Sunderland null and void that thought, as Sunderland and their fans know he's leaving. I would assume that he has been waiting to see if he gets better offers.
24 Jun 2026 15:47:03
Basically, nothing is set in stone and we will know when we know. I don't know much about Neil, but I'm hoping to see a lot more of Bailey Rice next season. I'm taking it they're similar players? Correct me if I'm wrong, as my knowledge is honking nowadays. ?♂️
24 Jun 2026 15:52:16
Great info I'll leave it to the experts.
My star, I've obviously got it wrong last ten years.
Restore, there is no dispute he is leaving, what the story Sunderland official post says he's leaving 30/6/.
24 Jun 2026 15:52:25
Whatdthestory, but he still be paid until the 30th from Sunderland.
24 Jun 2026 15:52:55
Star. I never said he had signed a pre contract.
You said, exact quote.
Restore, still contracted to a club, said as much a few weeks ago. John is spot on. He signs before his contract has ended. We'd need to pay his club a fee.
You were wrong, mate, as I explained.
But yeah, I suspect he has been weighing up his options.
24 Jun 2026 16:01:28
Listen, guys, does it really matter?
All arguing over more important trivial matters.
We'll find out next week.
He is fully entitled to wait for a better offer. Why wouldn't he? People think Rangers are this top club in Europe and everyone should want to play for us above all else?
Get a reality check, guys, eh? We're minnows in compatible European terms these days.
24 Jun 2026 16:06:50
Restore, I actually think in our own language we r agreeing.
imo nothing wrong with weighing up options, same as Ferguson, Mccrorie, Graham.
24 Jun 2026 16:12:55
ThIno, the heat is getting to everyone.
24 Jun 2026 16:19:53
Totally different player to Barron.
24 Jun 2026 16:27:51
Yeah, John, probably mate. All I was pointing out was that this post you made was wrong.
What's the story? No, it never. He cannot sign for a club before 1/7 or a fee would need to be paid.
I wasn't trying to start an argument with you, bud. ?
24 Jun 2026 16:37:34
A quick search through the archives and there are posters not agreeing with Restore and adamant they are correct, but in the past have said exactly what Restore is saying now.
Do some of you get kicks out of arguing with people for the sake of it? Or are your memories shot?
24 Jun 2026 16:46:06
March, I've watched him playing, it must be around 200 games, mate, around 30/40 in the flesh. Niel is a level above Barron, totally different?
Same work was all I'm meaning, but he's better technical and has a better passing range, both 6's or 8's.
24 Jun 2026 16:51:37
So to clarify he has not signed yet.
That's what I am talking from this. ??
24 Jun 2026 16:52:04
Why are you even arguing over this ? away out the back and have a cauld one.
24 Jun 2026 16:55:52
Thanks, TFK, was thinking the exact same earlier. ?
24 Jun 2026 17:35:06
Maybe we are the better offer he was waiting for.
He was on loan with Ipswich 2nd half of the season, and their final league position would affect their intentions, so he was never signing a pre-contract anywhere.
Anyway, be careful with this heat, everyone. Bickering will only heat you up.
24 Jun 2026 18:12:20
Expect a mf 2 of Neil and Ferguson next season.
With Barron backing up Neil, and, as it stands, Chuckwuani backing up Ferguson.
I wouldn't be so quick to sell Diomande Jow though as I really don't rate Chucky.
24 Jun 2026 19:21:19
Chukuwani will be a good player for us with some positionally disciplined and defensively aware midfielders alongside him.
24 Jun 2026 21:09:26
Dado, I hope you're right, mate. I liked him first 2 games, then he fell off a cliff.
24 Jun 2026 21:17:09
I honestly think Neil and Barron together would be amazing. Some games, both players cover every inch of grass. They would not give the other players a second, and both have the engine to do it all game.