Jermain Defoe has revealed he immediately told Dan Neil to join Rangers after learning of the club’s interest in the midfielder.
Neil has completed a three-year move to Ibrox from Sunderland, and his former teammate Defoe admits he played a part in encouraging the switch north.
🗣️ "Before he even spoke, I said, 'you have got to go'." 🗣️ "Rangers are signing a top young player." Former Rangers player Jermain Defoe reveals what happened when Dan Neil called him over a move to Ibrox ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/bL7Z36U6h4
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) July 1, 2026
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Woking boss said: “Dan Neil called me the other day and asked if he could have two minutes of my time to speak about Rangers.
“And before he even spoke, I said: ‘Dan, you have got to go, honestly.’ You are a young player, and if you get a chance to go to Rangers at this stage of your career and play in front of some of the best fans I have experienced, you have to go.
“If you want a challenge, you have to go.”
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Defoe also backed Rangers’ latest recruit to make an impact in Glasgow, adding: “For Rangers, they are signing a top player. He is a good character who works hard.
“The demand up there is to run around, work hard, and give everything for that shirt. But you have to win as well.
“Good luck, my friend.”
