Better than Neil & Watt: Rangers showing big interest in signing “incredible” CM

Rangers are once again preparing for a decisive summer transfer window, and this time the focus is firmly on strengthening the heart of the team. After a season that has highlighted both progress and inconsistency in midfield, new head coach Danny Rohl is believed to be pushing the board to secure a dynamic central midfielder who can add control, creativity, and long-term quality to the squad.

The Scottish giants are not short of options, but the growing debate inside the club appears to revolve around three names: Elliot Watt, Dan Neil, and Milan Vitalis. Each midfielder offers something different, yet all three are being closely monitored as Rangers look to rebuild and close the gap on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Among the earliest names linked is Elliot Watt, currently starring for Motherwell. The Scottish midfielder has enjoyed an impressive season, registering six goals and three assists in 34 appearances. His ability to contribute both offensively and defensively has made him one of the standout midfielders in the league.

Watt’s style of play is built around intelligent positioning, strong passing ability, and a growing confidence in attacking areas. Averaging around 69 passes per game, he has become a key figure in Motherwell’s build-up play, often acting as the link between defence and attack.

His performances have not gone unnoticed at Ibrox, where Rangers scouts are said to have been tracking his development closely. A move for Watt would represent a safe and familiar option, given his experience in the Scottish Premiership and his understanding of the physical demands of the league.

However, Watt is not the only domestic option on the table.

Rangers are also reportedly interested in Dan Neil, a midfielder who has attracted attention due to his potential availability on a free transfer. Neil, who has spent time on loan at Ipswich Town, has experienced both promotion success and challenging spells during his career.

Despite being part of a promotion-winning squad, Neil’s playing time has been limited, with only eight starts during his loan spell and no goals or assists recorded. His technical ability and passing range are widely respected, but questions remain over his consistency and readiness to become a leading figure at a club like Rangers.

This uncertainty has led to debate among supporters and analysts about whether Neil would represent a genuine upgrade or a risky development project.

While both Watt and Neil offer different strengths, Rangers’ recruitment team is also exploring a more ambitious and potentially higher-impact option.

That player is Milan Vitalis.

According to reports, Rangers are among several clubs monitoring the Hungarian central midfielder, who currently plays for ETO FC. However, competition for his signature is fierce, with Celtic and Aberdeen also believed to be tracking his situation closely.

Vitalis is viewed as one of the most intriguing midfield prospects on the market due to his combination of physical presence, technical quality, and attacking output.

At 24 years old, he is slightly younger than Elliot Watt, and his statistical profile suggests a more well-rounded contribution in both defensive and offensive phases of play.

During the 2025/26 season in Hungary’s top division, Vitalis recorded nine goals and four assists in 31 appearances. He also created nine big chances, a figure significantly higher than both Watt and Neil over the same period.

In comparison, Watt registered six goals and three assists, while Neil struggled to make an attacking impact during his loan spell.

What makes Vitalis particularly appealing is not just his goal contribution, but also his ability to influence matches in the final third while still maintaining defensive responsibility.

His defensive numbers are also competitive, averaging around 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game, placing him on a similar level to Watt, who recorded 3.3 in the same category. This suggests that Vitalis is not simply an attacking midfielder but a balanced central player capable of handling both sides of the game.

In terms of aerial ability, Vitalis also holds a slight advantage, winning a higher percentage of his aerial duels compared to Watt. This is particularly important for Rangers, a team that often faces physically demanding matches in both domestic and European competition.

Across his career so far, Vitalis has accumulated 25 goals and 25 assists in 220 appearances. While these numbers may not appear extraordinary at first glance, they highlight a consistent output from midfield over multiple seasons and different leagues.

His development has been gradual but steady, including earlier spells in Slovakia where he continued to refine his game. During the 2024/25 campaign, he added further contributions with FC DAC, scoring goals and registering assists while maintaining strong defensive work rate.

What stands out most about Vitalis is his balance.

He is not purely an attacking midfielder.

He is not purely defensive.

Instead, he represents the modern central midfielder profile that top clubs increasingly look for: a player capable of transitioning quickly, contributing in multiple phases, and adapting to different tactical systems.

This versatility is one of the main reasons Rangers are reportedly considering him ahead of more familiar options like Watt and Neil.

Another factor influencing the discussion is long-term potential.

At 24 years old, Vitalis still has room to develop further, particularly if he moves into a more competitive league like the Scottish Premiership. Coaches believe that players with his profile often improve significantly when exposed to higher intensity football and stronger tactical demands.

For Rangers, this is an important consideration.

The club is not only thinking about immediate impact but also squad building over the next three to five years. Investing in a player who can grow with the team is seen as a strategic advantage, especially in a league where Celtic’s consistency sets a high benchmark.

Danny Rohl is believed to be particularly keen on midfielders who can contribute both goals and defensive stability. His tactical system relies on midfielders who can press aggressively, recover possession, and still offer creativity in attacking transitions.

Vitalis appears to fit this model more closely than the other targets.

While Elliot Watt is reliable and already proven in Scotland, his attacking output has only recently begun to improve. This raises questions about whether his current form represents a sustained development or a short-term spike.

Dan Neil, meanwhile, remains more of an unknown quantity at senior level, despite his technical quality and potential.

From a risk perspective, Vitalis sits in an interesting middle ground.

He is not untested.

He is not a finished product.

He is a player with proven output in multiple leagues, but still with room to grow into a top-level midfielder.

This blend of reliability and potential is what makes him particularly attractive to Rangers’ recruitment department.

Statistically, the comparison between the three midfielders further highlights why Vitalis is being viewed as a strong candidate.

He has produced more combined goals and assists than both Watt and Neil in recent seasons.

He has created more big chances.

He matches or closely follows their defensive output.

And he brings additional aerial strength that could be valuable in the Scottish Premiership.

Beyond the numbers, scouts have also reportedly praised his technical confidence, ability to carry the ball under pressure, and willingness to attempt forward passes in tight spaces.

These traits are often difficult to measure statistically but are crucial in breaking down defensive teams in domestic football.

Supporters have already begun debating the potential signing, especially with Celtic also reportedly interested in the Hungarian midfielder. That rivalry adds another layer of urgency to the situation, as both Glasgow clubs often compete for similar profiles in the transfer market.

If Celtic were to win the race, Rangers risk missing out on a player who could strengthen their midfield for years to come.

That is why some analysts believe the club may need to act decisively if they are serious about securing Vitalis.

However, the financial aspect of the deal remains uncertain. ETO FC are expected to demand a significant fee for one of their key players, and competition from multiple clubs could push the price even higher.

For Rangers, this becomes a question of priority.

Do they invest in a proven Scottish Premiership performer like Elliot Watt?

Do they take a low-risk free transfer option in Dan Neil?

Or do they push aggressively for a more dynamic and potentially higher-ceiling player like Milan Vitalis?

At the moment, the direction of travel appears to favour the Hungarian midfielder.

Inside the club, there is a growing belief that midfield evolution is essential if Rangers are to compete consistently at the top level again. The gap to Celtic has not only been about results but also about depth, creativity, and balance in key areas of the pitch.

Vitalis represents an opportunity to address those issues in one move.

A player who can defend.

A player who can create.

A player who can score.

And a player who still has room to improve.

As the summer transfer window approaches, this decision could become one of the most important early moves of Rangers’ rebuild under Danny Rohl.

Whether they ultimately secure his signature remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Milan Vitalis is rapidly emerging as the most intriguing midfield option on their radar, and possibly the one who could define their summer strategy.