Dan Neil told what makes 'more sense' as Ipswich Town & Rangers circle | OneFootball

FLW's Ipswich Town fan pundit has given his verdict on Rangers' interest in signing Dan Neil

Ipswich Town clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League on the final day of the season.

The Tractor Boys secured second in the Championship table with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to QPR.

Kieran McKenna has overseen three promotions in four years at Portman Road, with the club looking to cement themselves long-term in the top flight.

The Suffolk outfit were relegated 12 months ago with a 19th place finish in the table, so will be hoping to improve on that position next season.

It promises to be a busy summer ahead for Ipswich, as McKenna will be seeking improvements to the squad in order to compete in the Premier League.

The Northern Irishman will be hoping to emulate the success of Leeds United and Sunderland next year, with the two sides both surviving after earning promotion in the previous campaign.

Ipswich Town issued Dan Neil transfer warning

It has been reported that Rangers are keen on a deal to sign Dan Neil following the end of his loan spell with Ipswich.

He arrived at Portman Road in January from Sunderland after falling down the pecking order of Régis Le Bris’ first team squad, leading to a move back to the Championship.

When asked whether the Tractor Boys should look to secure his permanent signature, FLW’s Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin admitted his scepticism at his ability to compete in the top flight with McKenna’s side.

He believes that a switch to Rangers might make the most sense for everyone, as the midfielder might just not be equipped for Premier League football.

“I don’t think we saw enough of Dan Neil in the Championship — albeit some of that was due to a lack of fitness and getting up to speed — to say that he would be a definite starter, or even a definite squad player for a Premier League squad with Ipswich,” Wilkin told Football League World.

“So, the Rangers links feels like a more reasonable one.

“I think he’d definitely get first team football there, and it probably makes more sense.

“I feel like if he came to Ipswich it would be a risk in terms of recruitment given the lack of Premier League minutes he played for Sunderland.

“Although Sunderland did well getting into Europe, the fact that he couldn’t make the squad for a newly-promoted Premier League side that season means I wouldn’t be overly impressed if he came into a newly-promoted squad this season.”

Neil made the temporary move to Ipswich in the January market, and he made 16 appearances in the league for the club, including eight starts.

The midfielder played just three times in the Premier League for the Black Cats, which prompted his departure midway through the campaign.

With his contract now expiring in June, his future is in his own hands with a number of clubs circling.

Coventry City have previously been linked with a move, as well as Spanish giants Valencia.

It remains to be seen where his next step will be, with a permanent move to Ipswich also an option.

McKenna will be keen to bolster the squad in a number of areas in order for the club to compete in the Premier League next season.

Dan Neil permanent move should be a last resort for Ipswich

Neil being a free agent means there is some appeal to signing him this summer, as he can provide strength in depth at a reasonable cost.

However, his game time at Portman Road wasn’t consistent enough to suggest he’ll be a key figure in the team if he stayed on beyond this loan spell.

If he wants to prioritise consistent minutes, then a move to Rangers would be a better option at this point in his career, and it will offer him the chance to compete for major silverware and in Europe.

It would be surprising if he stayed at Ipswich, as he showed this season at Sunderland that he’s not ready to compete in the top flight consistently just yet, and that’s what McKenna’s team needs in order to survive.