Glasgow, 07.11.2018, Ibrox Stadion, Fussball, Scottish Premiership, Glasgow Rangers Imago Images
Phillips believes the 24-year-old midfielder will immediately command respect from his new teammates and could even inherit the armband at Ibrox.
Neil joins Rangers just 12 months after captaining Sunderland during their successful push for Premier League promotion from the Championship.
His hopes of continuing as skipper at the Stadium of Light were ended when Sunderland spent £13million to sign former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka claimed both Neil’s starting position and the captaincy as Regis le Bris guided the Black Cats to a remarkable seventh-place Premier League finish following an eight-year absence from the top flight.
New Rangers manager Derek McInnes is currently weighing up candidates to replace departed captain James Tavernier, and Phillips believes Neil deserves serious consideration.
Phillips told Record Sport: “I think he’ll walk into that dressing room and hold his own for sure.”
The Sunderland legend added: “He’s got experience. He’s been at a big football club. He’s played in some big games in terms of the North East Derby.”
Phillips was emphatic about the quality Neil brings, saying: “Technically very, very good. Box-to-box player, can score goals. So I think from Rangers’ point of view and the players’ point of view, when a player like that walks through the door, yes, you have to give him the respect because he’s played in the Premier League, arguably the best league in the world.”
Neil could soon be joined at Ibrox by Cammy Devlin, with reports suggesting the former Hearts midfielder is close to agreeing a reunion with McInnes following their time together at Tynecastle.
Separately, Ibrox sources have moved to dismiss reports of a £6million bid for former loan winger Vaclav Cerny, knocking back rumours from Turkey that Rangers had approached Besiktas for the player.
Phillips also weighed in on the Rangers goalkeeping situation, backing Jack Butland to rediscover his best form after joining Hull City in a swap arrangement involving new Gers number one Ivor Pandur.
The 33-year-old former England international returns to the Premier League after McInnes chose to overhaul the goalkeeping department at Ibrox following a season of inconsistent performances.
Phillips said of his former Birmingham City teammate: “Jack looks after himself. I know him. I played with him at Birmingham. I think they’ve paid around £3million for him. I think it could be a massive bargain.”
The former striker pointed to Butland’s fitness and reliability as key assets, noting: “He played every minute for Rangers last year. So that’s going to help him. He’s fit. I think it could be a really, really good signing for Hull.”
Phillips concluded: “He’s got that experience, and that’s what you need when you’re trying to stay in the Premier League. For me, it’s a good signing.”
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