Celtic hero made late attempt to stop Dan Neil joining Rangers as text messages emerge

Aiden McGeady reveals message to Dan Neil as Celtic connection emerges

Aiden McGeady has admitted he contacted former Sunderland teammate Dan Neil and attempted to persuade the midfielder against joining Rangers, while secretly hoping Celtic would make their own move for him.

Neil had been on Rangers’ radar for some time, having reportedly featured prominently on Danny Röhl’s recruitment plans during the January transfer window. However, the midfielder chose to remain in England and joined Ipswich Town as he looked to continue his career in the Championship.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a successful spell with Ipswich as the club secured promotion to the Premier League. It represented Neil’s second successive promotion, having previously captained Sunderland during their rise from the Championship.

His opportunities at Portman Road subsequently became limited, though, and after leaving the club as a free agent, Neil eventually became a Rangers player.

McGeady knows Neil well after spending four seasons alongside him at Sunderland between 2018 and 2022. The pair were part of the side that won the EFL Trophy in 2021.

The former Celtic winger has now revealed that he tried to use that relationship to convince Neil not to make the move to Ibrox.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, McGeady explained that he had sent Neil a message when the Rangers transfer was being discussed.

He said Celtic had also been a potential destination in his mind and admitted he was hoping the Parkhead club would consider signing the midfielder.

Neil has since provided a very strong response on the pitch, scoring twice as Rangers defeated Celtic 3-0 in the Premier Sports Cup at Ibrox on Sunday.

McGeady believes that performance only strengthened his argument that Celtic should have pursued the midfielder, particularly as they look for a solution to the pressure currently placed on Callum McGregor.

The former Celtic favourite praised Neil’s ability to carry the ball over significant distances while remaining composed in possession, as well as his finishing during the derby.

McGeady suggested those qualities would have made Neil an excellent fit for Celtic’s midfield system.

He also believes the current demands being placed on McGregor are becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

With Celtic often leaving McGregor as the lone midfielder in certain phases, McGeady feels the captain needs greater support, particularly against teams that press aggressively and use man-to-man marking.

The defeats and struggles against Rangers and LASK have highlighted the issue, according to McGeady, and he believes adding another player capable of helping McGregor could make a significant difference.

Neil’s performance in the Old Firm derby has now given McGeady an obvious reminder of the player he felt Celtic should have targeted.