Rohl’s own Elliot Watt: Ibrox chiefs pushing to sign English star for Rangers

Rangers are once again making serious moves in the transfer market as the summer window begins to take shape, with the club looking to strengthen key areas of their squad under new manager Danny Röhl. After already securing one important signing from the Scottish Premiership, attention is now turning to midfield reinforcements, and two names are emerging as potential game-changers for the Ibrox side.

One of those names is Motherwell midfielder Elliot Watt, a player who has impressed consistently in the Scottish top flight and is now being tracked by both Rangers and Celtic. The other, however, may represent a more ambitious and potentially cost-effective alternative — Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil, who could arrive on a free transfer and offer similar qualities without the need for a major financial outlay.

This growing transfer situation is quickly becoming one of the most interesting midfield stories of the Scottish summer window, as Rangers attempt to balance experience, value, and long-term squad building.

The club has already shown its intent in the market by securing the signing of Scotland international Lawrence Shankland from Hearts. Shankland’s arrival was seen as a statement move, bringing in a proven goalscorer who had delivered consistently in the Scottish Premiership. His impact has already been felt, with goals for both club and country following his switch to Ibrox.

But Rangers are not stopping there.

The club’s recruitment team understands that if they want to compete at the highest level domestically and in Europe, they must continue strengthening key areas of the pitch. Midfield, in particular, has been identified as a priority.

This is where Elliot Watt comes into the picture.

Watt has developed into one of Motherwell’s most reliable and influential players. At 26 years old, he is entering what many consider the peak years of his career, combining experience with physical maturity and tactical awareness.

During the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season, Watt made 34 appearances for Motherwell, scoring six goals and providing three assists. These numbers highlight not only his consistency but also his ability to contribute in both attacking and defensive phases of the game.

His passing ability, work rate, and control in midfield have made him one of the standout performers outside the traditional Old Firm dominance. It is no surprise that clubs like Rangers and Celtic are now closely monitoring his situation.

Motherwell are reportedly valuing Watt at around £3 million, a fee that reflects both his importance to the team and the current market conditions in Scottish football.

For Rangers, this represents a serious but manageable investment.

However, while Watt is seen as a proven option in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers are also exploring alternative profiles that could provide similar quality without the same transfer fee. This is where Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil enters the discussion.

According to reports from former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Rangers are actively pushing to secure a deal for Neil, who is set to become a free agent at the end of his contract.

This situation has created a major opportunity for Rangers, as signing a player of Neil’s profile without a transfer fee would represent excellent value in the modern market.

Neil, a 24-year-old English midfielder, has been highly regarded for his technical ability, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence. Although his playing time was slightly disrupted during parts of his recent campaign, his performances in the Championship with Sunderland and during his loan spell at Ipswich Town showed why he remains a highly rated midfielder.

Brown has suggested that Neil would be open to a move to Scotland, particularly if it gives him the chance to play a leading role in a team competing for trophies and European football.

From Rangers’ perspective, this is exactly the type of opportunity they are looking for.

Neil fits the profile of a modern central midfielder — someone who can dictate tempo, control possession, and contribute defensively when needed. He is not just a creative player, nor purely a defensive midfielder, but a balanced all-rounder capable of performing multiple roles in the middle of the pitch.

This versatility is what makes him so attractive to Rangers manager Danny Röhl.

Röhl is currently building a squad that can compete both physically and technically. His tactical approach demands midfielders who are comfortable in possession but also willing to press, recover the ball, and compete in duels across the pitch.

In many ways, both Watt and Neil fit this system.

The comparison between the two players has become a key talking point among analysts. On paper, Watt represents a proven Scottish Premiership performer who already understands the demands of domestic football. Neil, on the other hand, offers Championship and Premier League-level experience, with potential for further development.

Statistically, the two players are also very similar in several key areas.

In the 2025/26 season, Watt recorded a pass accuracy of around 86%, while Neil posted approximately 84% in his most recent full Championship campaign. Both players also contributed three assists each, showing their ability to support attacking play from midfield.

In terms of defensive contribution, Watt averaged 5.0 duels won per game, while Neil recorded 4.8. Tackles and interceptions per game also showed close similarity, with Watt averaging 3.3 and Neil around 2.9.

Even in ball retention and pressure situations, both players demonstrate strong resilience, with relatively low numbers of times being dribbled past per game.

These statistics highlight an important point: while their career paths have been different, their playing styles are closely aligned.

Both Watt and Neil are what modern football would describe as “metronomic midfielders.” They are not flashy playmakers or aggressive destroyers. Instead, they operate as connectors — players who link defence to attack, maintain possession, and ensure tactical balance in midfield.

This type of player is increasingly valuable in modern football, especially for teams like Rangers who need control in domestic matches and composure in European competition.

One of the standout examples of Dan Neil’s ability came during a match against Oxford United while playing for Sunderland.

In that game, Neil completed 70 out of 75 passes, recorded 10 ball recoveries, and provided an assist in a 2-0 victory. His performance demonstrated not only technical quality but also awareness, positioning, and game intelligence.

This match has often been highlighted by analysts as a clear example of what Neil can offer when fully fit and operating in his preferred role.

Similarly, during his loan spell at Ipswich Town, Neil showed his ability to adapt to different tactical systems and maintain high levels of performance even in a competitive environment.

Across 16 Championship appearances for Ipswich, he won 54% of his ground duels and 64% of his aerial duels, showing that he is not only a technical midfielder but also capable of handling physical battles.

For Rangers, these attributes are extremely important.

Scottish football is known for its intensity, physicality, and high-tempo style. Midfielders are often required to handle pressure, win duels, and still maintain quality on the ball. Both Watt and Neil appear capable of meeting those demands.

However, the financial aspect of each deal could ultimately decide Rangers’ direction.

Watt would require a transfer fee in the region of £3 million, while Neil could potentially arrive for free if negotiations with his current club are successful.

In a market where clubs are increasingly focused on financial efficiency, the opportunity to sign a free agent of Neil’s quality is particularly appealing.

That said, signing Watt would offer immediate familiarity with Scottish football and reduce adaptation time. He already understands the pace and physical demands of the Premiership, which could allow him to make an instant impact at Ibrox.

This creates a strategic decision for Rangers: invest in proven domestic quality or take advantage of a potentially high-value free transfer from England.

Manager Danny Röhl is expected to play a key role in this decision-making process. His vision for the squad involves building a balanced midfield capable of controlling games while also competing physically against strong opposition.

Neil, with his composure and passing ability, could be seen as a long-term project who fits into a possession-based system. Watt, meanwhile, offers reliability and consistency in the Scottish league right now.

There is also the possibility that Rangers could pursue both players, depending on budget and squad departures during the summer window. However, that would require careful financial planning and squad balancing.

For now, the situation remains open.

What is clear is that Rangers are actively working to strengthen their midfield, and both Elliot Watt and Dan Neil are firmly on the radar as realistic targets.

As the transfer window progresses, negotiations, player interest, and financial conditions will determine which direction the club takes.

But whether it is Watt’s Premiership experience or Neil’s free-transfer opportunity from England, Rangers appear determined to strengthen their midfield with quality, intelligence, and long-term planning in mind.

And in a summer where every decision matters, the battle for midfield control at Ibrox is only just beginning.