Dan Neil reacts to Rangers fan fury after Europa League exit and reveals his hopes

Dan Neil admits Rangers fan reaction is painful but insists season can still be turned around

Dan Neil has acknowledged the frustration of Rangers supporters following the club’s disappointing start to the campaign, but the midfielder remains convinced that Derek McInnes’ side can still transform their fortunes.

Rangers have endured a difficult opening to the season, failing to win any of their first four matches in all competitions. Their latest setback came on Thursday when they were knocked out of the Europa League by Jagiellonia Bialystok following a 3-2 aggregate defeat.

The result means Rangers have dropped into the Conference League, while they are already five points behind Celtic in the early Premiership title race.

Neil, who arrived from Sunderland during the summer, admitted it has been difficult for the players to see the anger from supporters inside Ibrox. However, he accepts that such a reaction is inevitable when Rangers fail to deliver results.

“I think it’s a natural thing,” Neil said. “We understand there’s an expectation to win here and when you’re not winning it is going to be like that at the stadium.

“We have to accept that as Rangers players and do everything we can to turn that around.”

The midfielder had heard plenty before joining Rangers about the atmosphere at Ibrox when the club is performing well, and he wants that to become the squad’s motivation.

“I’ve heard so many people that have been here for a while saying when we’re winning it’s the best place to be in the world and there’s no place like it,” he explained.

“That’s got to be our motivation every day to try and turn it around and make it the best place to play in the world.”

Neil understands why supporters are becoming frustrated, insisting that their anger comes from simply wanting to see Rangers succeed.

“It’s obviously tough at times but the fans just want to win and they want to see the team doing well,” he said.

“The same way that the players and the staff are working every day to try and win games, to please the fans and get them onside and love them being at Ibrox watching the team.”

Despite admitting that the reaction has been difficult to take, Neil believes the squad must stick together rather than allow the poor start to divide them.

“It’s devastating for the players to see the reaction, but we also understand the objectives here and what’s expected,” he said.

“We understand that it’s fallen below that in the first four games, but I think it’s important that as a club we stick together because we do have a good group of players in there.”

Neil insists the campaign is still in its early stages and believes Rangers have enough quality and determination to recover.

“It’s just a start, it’s a very long season,” he added. “We’re going to do everything to try and put it right and get that crowd behind us and start building momentum.”

Neil admits Rangers must improve defensively

Rangers manager Derek McInnes was particularly unhappy with the manner in which his team conceded Jagiellonia’s equaliser in the second leg.

After Lawrence Shankland had given Rangers the lead from the penalty spot, the Polish side broke quickly from one end of the pitch to the other before finding the net.

It was another damaging counter-attacking goal, following similar problems Rangers experienced during the first leg in Poland.

Neil admitted that Rangers have made themselves vulnerable too often and need to address the issue quickly.

“We had a full belief going into the game that we’d get the result we wanted,” he said. “For 45 minutes we did that and I think we showed it.

“We were really all out, just trying to get the crowd behind us and build momentum. I felt like we did that in the first half, but we just didn’t manage to keep it going in the second half and allowed them back into the game.

“Then another bad counter-attack goal, which has been our kryptonite over the last four games, cost us again.”

Rangers players determined to take responsibility

Neil has been appointed vice-captain to new Rangers skipper Shankland, but he insists leadership within the dressing room extends far beyond the two senior figures.

The midfielder believes the squad has a collective responsibility to improve and says players are being encouraged to speak openly about the team’s problems.

“It’s not just about Shanks being captain or me being vice-captain,” Neil explained.

“We’ve made a real effort to try and have a team full of captains and everybody has a voice.”

He added that leadership can take different forms, whether through communication or setting the right example in training.

“Everybody leads in a different way, whether it’s being vocal or setting an example every single day and we’re going to keep working on that and bringing out people’s leadership qualities.”

Neil also revealed that the players held an honest discussion after the European exit, with members of the squad taking responsibility for their performances.

“Everybody had a bit to say in the changing room after and everyone’s taken accountability for what’s been happening so far this season,” he said.

“I think it’s a sign of a good group when people put their hands up and speak and say what they feel is going wrong.”

The Rangers vice-captain believes that openness can help the squad move forward.

“We are all one in there and everyone’s going to say what they think to each other. Everyone respects each other’s views, even if there are arguments.

“We turn up tomorrow for training and we try and put things right.”

Rangers now have the opportunity to respond when they begin their Premier Sports Cup campaign against St Mirren on Sunday, with Neil and his teammates hoping to finally give supporters something to celebrate.