As Rangers tumbled out of the Champions League, Philippe Clement faced questions about the whereabouts of injury-plagued Brazilian striker Danilo.
Here the club was crashing out of the running to qualify for the £40m Champions League and their £6m striker was nowhere to be seen in either leg.
A clip of the ex-Feyenoord hitman limping onto the pitch was deleted by Rangers’ media team before Philippe Clement batted away suggestions of a fresh Danilo injury.
Danilo is of course returning from a lengthy knee injury which kept him out for the majority of last season.
Clement – potentially influenced by another long-term absentee in Oscar Cortes pulling up against Hearts – has been hesitant to bring the forward back into competitive action.
Speaking ahead of the Premier Sports Cup clash with St Johnstone, Philippe Clement gave an update on Danilo and when Rangers fans can expect his return to the pitch.
Danilo to return v St Johnstone
Philippe Clement has had a section of his press conference embargoed ahead of the Premier Sports Cup clash with St Johnstone.
The Gers are set to welcome the Perthshire side to Hampden in a 5:45pm kick off at the national stadium which represents a potential banana skin to the club.
Rangers are on a hiding to nothing at Hampden. Fail to win it’s a disaster, win and the expectation to do so will do little to lift the horrendous mood around the club.
Philippe Clement gave a squad update in the first section of his press conference, revealing that Ridvan Yilmaz is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines.
In the second part of the interview, Clement has revealed that Danilo will be in the squad against St Johnstone and that fans can expect the striker to play his first competitive game in nine months.
That’s if everything goes to plan.
“Danilo is in the selection for tomorrow,” said Clement. “I cannot predict everything before the game but it’s the idea that he has playing minutes tomorrow.”
Rangers fans expect £6m striker to deliver
Rangers fans will welcome Danilo back to the side after a long-stint on the sidelines.
Whilst the Brazilian has had minutes in pre-season, you need to go back to the 6th of December 2023 for the last time the former Ajax hitman played a competitive game for Rangers.
Crocked in a 1-0 win over Hearts, it’s been a long way back for the striker who is one of a number of Rangers stars who still have it all to prove at Ibrox.
The hefty £6m price tag attached to Danilo only heaps on the pressure.
Rangers fans are not in patient mood and whilst Danilo is only returning from a serious injury fans have waited long enough to see the expensive forward return to the squad.
A year on from his move to Glasgow, Danilo is yet to prove himself worth the substantial outlay.
If Philippe Clement has passed him fit, Rangers fans expect to see Dani influence games as question marks linger over inconsistent number nine Cyriel Dessers.
Danilo’s injury had a huge impact on the season last campaign and if Rangers stand any chance this time around they need their best, and most expensive, players on the pitch.
