McNeil is getting ready for 'a massive season' for himself and club

DWIGHT MCNEIL believes this is a "massive season" for both himself and Everton as he looks to kick on to a new phase in his career following a major reset in his approach.

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

The Rochdale-born player celebrates his 26th birthday on November 22 and as a professional footballer he sees as a milestone moment by entering his late 20s, believing it should be a time to deliver.

McNeil: "I definitely see this as a big season for me in terms of taking things on from last year. I think this is going to be a massive year for the whole club with the new stadium.

"We know with the gaffer where he wants the club to be. "I want to be a part of that and it's a massive season for me personally as I want to kick on.

"I'm turning 26 this year, so for me with where I want to go, I need to be pushing on and helping the team as much as I can.

"I see myself as a senior player now. Sometimes lads ask me for certain things, and it was not so long ago that it was me doing that.

"It's nice to be part of the older lads and being one of those who you think can help those around you."

For McNeil, it's not cut and dry just where on the pitch he'll be playing his football in 2025/26, but he hopes that his versatility can prove an asset for the team.

Having spent most of his career on the left wing, he was deployed in a central 'number 10' role by Sean Dyche early last season before finishing the campaign as an inverted winger on the right for David Moyes.

Against Bournemouth for Everton's Premier League Summer Series opener, the £20million signing from Burnley in 2022 filled in at left wing back as one of five players who Moyes lamented he had to pick out of position.