Rangers Have Found Their Best Signing Since Alfredo Morelos – And It’s Not Ryan Naderi

Rangers have enjoyed an impressive run of form under Derek McInnes, with the Ibrox side recording seven consecutive victories in all competitions following their 3-1 triumph over Kilmarnock.

The Light Blues have also tightened things up defensively, conceding just twice across that seven-match sequence, while their attacking performances have given supporters further reason for optimism.

Ryan Naderi was the standout performer against Kilmarnock, scoring twice either side of Kevin Kelsy’s goal to help Rangers secure another valuable victory.

However, although the Czechia international has quickly established himself as an important figure in McInnes’ side, another summer arrival is making an equally compelling case for recognition.

Dan Neil has quietly become one of Rangers’ most influential players, with his performances in midfield suggesting that the club may have secured their most impressive signing since Alfredo Morelos.

How Ryan Naderi Has Helped Rangers Cope Without Lawrence Shankland

Rangers appeared to suffer a significant setback when Lawrence Shankland picked up a hamstring injury against Motherwell at the beginning of November.

The striker is expected to remain sidelined until the turn of the year, leaving McInnes with the challenge of finding a reliable source of goals during a crucial period of the campaign.

Naderi has responded impressively to that responsibility.

The 23-year-old came off the bench just eight minutes into the Motherwell fixture and scored the decisive goal, registering his first Premiership strike of the 2026/27 season.

He has continued to deliver since then, contributing goals or assists in each of his next four appearances.

His recent record includes two goals against Kilmarnock, a strike against Celtic, an assist in another meeting with their Glasgow rivals, a further assist against St Mirren and a goal against Motherwell.

Across those five matches, Naderi has registered four goals and two assists, providing Rangers with a significant attacking contribution while Shankland recovers.

The former Hansa Rostock forward will now be looking to maintain that momentum and help Rangers sustain their title challenge.

Morelos remains an important benchmark for Rangers strikers. The Colombian scored 124 goals in 269 appearances across all competitions for the club and played a prominent role in their 2020/21 Premiership title triumph.

Naderi has made an encouraging start to his Rangers career, but it is another member of the current squad who is beginning to draw attention for his overall contribution.

Dan Neil Is Emerging as Rangers’ Standout Summer Signing

Rangers moved to sign Dan Neil on a free transfer during the summer after his contract with Sunderland expired.

The midfielder arrived with the task of strengthening McInnes’ options in the centre of the pitch, although his move initially prompted questions about whether he could adapt quickly to Scottish football.

Those doubts have increasingly been answered by his performances.

Neil has brought composure, work rate and tactical discipline to the Rangers midfield, while his ability to contribute in possession and out of possession has made him an important part of the team’s recent improvement.

His display against Kilmarnock offered another example of those qualities.

The 24-year-old played 87 minutes, completed 91 per cent of his passes and registered three key passes. He also won six of his ten duels and was not dribbled past during his time on the pitch.

Those figures underline the balance in his game. Neil is capable of helping Rangers retain possession and build attacks, but he also provides the defensive effort required to protect the back line.

His performances have been particularly notable given that he arrived without a transfer fee, allowing Rangers to strengthen their midfield without committing a significant sum to a permanent deal.

Why Neil Could Be More Important Than Naderi

Naderi’s recent goalscoring form naturally attracts attention, particularly with Shankland unavailable. Neil, however, offers a different kind of influence.

The midfielder has demonstrated an ability to affect matches across several areas, from progressing possession and creating opportunities to winning challenges and disrupting opposition attacks.

During the Premiership campaign, he has averaged 3.6 tackles and interceptions per match, alongside 1.2 key passes per game. He has also won 55 per cent of his ground duels and half of his aerial duels.

Those numbers reflect the all-round contribution that has made him such an important figure in McInnes’ team.

Neil has also shown that he can threaten the opposition goal himself, having scored twice against Celtic in the League Cup last month.

His influence extends beyond his technical qualities, too. With Shankland absent, Neil has taken on the captain’s responsibilities, demonstrating the trust placed in him within the squad.

That combination of leadership, defensive discipline and attacking contribution makes him a valuable asset for Rangers as they attempt to maintain their recent form.

Rangers May Have Found a Signing to Build Around

Morelos established himself as a key figure during his time at Ibrox through his goalscoring, physical presence and importance to Rangers’ attacking play.

Neil is a very different type of player, so comparisons between the two should be understood in terms of their wider influence rather than their positions or statistical output.

Nevertheless, the midfielder is beginning to demonstrate the kind of consistency that could make him one of Rangers’ most important acquisitions in recent years.

Naderi deserves credit for stepping up during Shankland’s absence, and his recent scoring run has given McInnes another reliable attacking option.

However, Neil’s ability to influence games in multiple phases makes his contribution particularly significant. He can help Rangers control midfield, create chances, defend transitions and provide leadership when the team needs it.

If he maintains that level throughout the campaign, the free-transfer arrival could prove to be one of the most astute pieces of business Rangers have completed in the post-Morelos era.

For McInnes, the challenge now is ensuring that both Neil and Naderi continue to deliver as Rangers look to turn their impressive winning run into a sustained challenge for silverware.