Rangers star that would fit in 'Celtic's system really well' identified as Hoops icon doubles down on stance

Celtic icon Aiden McGeady claims Rangers midfielder Dan Neil would’ve fit in ‘Celtic’s system really well’ as he doubles down on his previous comment that the Hoops should’ve signed him.

The former Everton and Hibs winger played alongside Neil during his time at Sunderland and has been a long-time admirer of the player since. When Rangers signed the midfielder on a free transfer in July, McGeady jokingly told him he’s ‘better’ than his former rivals and that he also reckons Celtic should’ve been in for him. After the 24-year old bagged a double in Sunday’s Old Firm derby defeat for the Hoops, McGeady now thinks he’s been proved right.

In the 3-1 loss at Ibrox, Celtic lost battles all over the pitch, but the midfield one was particularly notable. Captain Callum McGregor - who so often controls the tempo in these types of fixtures - was at times isolated in the middle of the park. McGeady reckons a Neil-type of player beside him could’ve been a big ‘help’.

Why would McGeady have signed Neil for Celtic?

He told the Go Radio Football Show: "Dan Neil, not that I wanted him to do well, but he proves that I am right about football sometimes when I said he is a really good football player. He is probably one that Celtic should have looked at. When there was talk of him signing here, I message him and said 'you can't be doing that mate, you can't be signing for Rangers' - and I was hoping Celtic would look at him.

“Even his performance [against Celtic] on Sunday, he was carrying it 30 or 40 yards and was very comfortable and composed on the ball - and his two finishes. He is a player I think would have fit into Celtic's system really, really well. I think it's difficult for Callum now, playing in a one [in midfield]. It has been shown up in Europe and against Rangers who are pressing man to man. It's difficult playing in a one at his age, he needs someone in there to help him."

What were McGeady’s original comments on Neil?

Shortly after the midfielder penned his three-year deal at Ibrox, McGeady said: “Dan Neil is a very, very focused individual, very, very good trainer, totally dedicated to his craft. Technically, he’s very good, he’s clever, he’s very good at finding passes and space, he doesn’t overcomplicate the game. I know he’s a Rangers signing, but before that, I was like ‘Celtic could look at him.’

“He was fantastic for Sunderland when I was there, they got promoted and he went to Ipswich and they got promoted too, and then he was out of contract. I was actually surprised that he went to Rangers, because I was messaging him saying ‘you’re better than this’, but half-hearted [banter] because I think he is. So I was surprised that Rangers got him, especially on a free.”

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