Photo via BBC Sport

'Shades of Ferguson' as Neil runs show for Rangers

Dan Neil produced a standout display during his Old Firm debut, scoring twice with contrasting strikes to guide Rangers to victory. Handed the captaincy while Lawrence Shankland was sidelined, the midfielder—who arrived at Ibrox on a three-year contract in July—controlled the tempo in the center alongside Nicolas Raskin and James Penrice.

Neil outplayed Celtic counterparts Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren over the 90 minutes, even leaving the opposing skipper behind with a sharp turn during a commanding performance.

Manager Derek McInnes commended his squad's unity and tactical execution, pointing out how effectively the midfield trio claimed territory near the penalty area. Neil echoed that sentiment, crediting McInnes' inspiring pre-match instructions for getting the side focused and competitive.

Ahead of an immediate rematch at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership next Sunday—which follows Celtic's midweek Europa League fixture against Ferencvaros—McInnes highlighted how vital this newfound solidarity is after enduring challenging periods in recent weeks.