What Rangers must do to end three-year trophy drought as star addresses inconsistency and recent setbacks

Dan Neil has experienced the full spectrum of emotions since arriving at Rangers, but the midfielder insists that handling adversity is part and parcel of representing a club with such high expectations.

After initially taking some time to find his feet in Glasgow, Neil enjoyed a dream Old Firm debut, scoring twice in a memorable performance against Celtic. However, recent weeks have also brought their share of challenges, including a costly error in the 2-2 draw with Dundee at Dens Park.

That setback was followed by another dramatic evening against Hearts at Tynecastle, where Olwethu Makhanya rescued a point after Rangers had struggled to impose themselves. In between those results, McInnes' men recorded a convincing home win over St Johnstone.

Attention has now turned to Saturday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final, with a trip to Hampden and the opportunity to move one step closer to silverware at stake. Rangers will face Aberdeen for the right to meet the winner of Sunday's Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibs in December's final.

For Neil and his teammates, victory would leave them just one game away from ending the club's three-year wait for major silverware. The midfielder understands that playing for Rangers brings enormous expectations, but admits responding positively to difficult moments is essential.

Speaking about his recent experiences, the former Sunderland captain said: “You want to play for a club like this and you have to take the good times with the bad times. The Dundee [mistake], it's certainly not the first mistake I've made and it certainly won't be the last.

“It's about how you react from it. I'm really enjoying my time here. The Hearts match is done now. All we can do is focus on the game coming up on Saturday.

“The full focus has been on that and that [winning trophies] is a big reason why I have come here,” he admitted. “But to have any chance, we have to win the game on Saturday and that's what we're focusing on.”

Midfielder enjoying more tactical freedom under McInnes

Neil has also welcomed the tactical freedom he has been given in recent matches, particularly since the Old Firm fixture, allowing him to contribute further forward. He explained that his responsibilities can change depending on McInnes' preferred formation and whether Rangers operate with one or two strikers.

“It differs from game to game, depending on the shape we're playing and if we're playing with two strikers or not," he said. “That changes whether I'm closer to them, or part of a more flat two. I'm enjoying both sides of it.”

Despite the positive results in recent weeks, Rangers know they will need a more complete performance against Aberdeen than the one produced at Tynecastle in midweek. Neil reckons that his side struggled to control proceedings until they found themselves behind.

“The game on Wednesday night, I thought the performance wasn't perfect. The first half wasn't good enough at all,” he declared. “That word control, we didn't have enough until we went 2-1 down, to be honest. Then we started playing through the thirds a bit better.

"I totally agree about the duels and that's something we spoke about at half-time, that we weren't doing well enough. Over the last few weeks, it's something we've been really good at, which has seen our results turn since Aberdeen away.”

Neil wary of underestimating Aberdeen

Neil is refusing to underestimate the challenge posed by a struggling Dons outfit. Although Stephen Robinson’s side have endured a troubled league campaign this season, Neil believes cup football presents a different challenge altogether.

“Any team can be dangerous on their day. Aberdeen have got good players,” he commented. “It's a bit of a one-off game, because league form goes out the window. It's a big chance for them to get into a final too, so league form doesn't come into it. We have to respect their qualities.”

With Hampden calling and a long-awaited trophy within touching distance, Rangers cannot afford to let the opportunity pass them by.

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