Rangers and Philippe Clement are handed a huge Danilo boost as the striker returns from injury to the starting XI for the B Team with the help of a protective mask.
The ex-Feyenoord striker – a reported £6m signing from the Eredivisie champions in the summer transfer window – started a special bounce match against Europa Conference League side Breidablik.
And the masked Rangers hitman wasn’t the only Ibrox first-teamer tasked with impressing Philippe Clement as Danilo joined several first-team stars in the clash with the Icelandic side.
Alongside the returning Danilo, David McCallum’s Rangers B team also included the captaining Leon Balogun, the under-fire Ben Davies, and back-up goalkeeper Robby McCrorie.
Academy prospects Leon King, Bailey Rice and Ross McCausland also started the match after recent exposure to the Ibrox first-team.
Philippe Clement boosted by Danilo Rangers injury return
Whilst Rangers went on to lose the match with Breidablik 3-2 – Ross McCausland and Connor Allan scoring for the Bears – the big story from the game is probably a starting return from injury for Danilo.
The striker represents the biggest outlay of any of Rangers’ new signings and Philippe Clement was not afraid to throw the striker on in the 4-0 win over Hibs from the bench.
But the return to the starting line-up is a significant moment for the Brazilian who suffered a devastating facial injury in a victory over St Johnstone earlier in the season.
Putting his head in where it hurts to nod Rangers in front in a 2-0 win, the goal came at a cost as Saints centre-back Liam Gordon fractured the ex-Ajax striker’s cheekbone.
It was a moment that halted the early progress of Danilo’s Rangers career with the injury having a big knock-on effect as Michael Beale was later sacked as Ibrox manager.
With the club now under the stewardship of Philippe Clement, the return of the Brazilian is a welcome boost to the Belgian as the Ibrox side look to find consistency and form this season.
