Moses McLay McNeil was born on the 29 October 1855, at Belmore, Garelochside; now the location of the HMNB Clyde Naval Base at Faslane.

His father was John McNeil (Master Gardner) from Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland and his mother was Jean Lowdon Bain from Downpatrick, Ireland.

Rangers won their first trophy later in 1879: the Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup, after beating Vale of Leven 2–1 in front of 11,000 spectators at Hampden.

He made 34 Scottish Cup appearances and scored ten goals during his Rangers career.

He never married and died of cardiac disease on 9 April 1938 at 50 Townend Road, Dumbarton, although his usual address was Craig Cottage at Clynder, Argyle and Bute, aged 82.