Danilo’s story at Rangers is one that has yet to be written.
The Brazilian striker is Rangers’ most expensive player since Ryan Kent and has saw his first two seasons in Glasgow painfully disrupted by a succession of injury problems.
There was a brief moment last season when Danilo looked to be finding his groove before a devastating knee injury cut his first season short.
This campaign has also been a real struggle for fitness with a shoulder injury sustained last month halting Danilo’s progression back into the Rangers team.
But with the Brazilian closing in on a return to training, Rangers will hope to see a return on their £6m investment before the final whistle goes this season.
Danilo set to return to Rangers training
Speaking after the 3-1 Scottish Premiership victory over Hearts at Tynecastle, Philippe Clement had some positive news on the injury front at Ibrox.
No fewer than three players are set to return to Rangers training this week, with Danilo, Connor Barron and Dujon Sterling all set to boost the Rangers manager’s options.
“I think Danilo will start to be in training with contact now, so that’s also an extra thing,” said Clement.
“And I think Conor Barron is also close towards training. Dujon Sterling is also close towards training.
“But then we need to see what their physical level is for the moment.”
Danilo is the stand-out name on that list, the striker having made only eight starts and 18 appearances in total this season.
A healthy return of seven goals, despite the striker’s fitness issues, points to an influential player who can contribute in the final third.
But with Rangers’ domestic season now a matter of pride instead of silverware, Danilo’s real contribution will only be judged in one competition.
Rangers striker recalled to Europa League squad
Such was the extent of Danilo’s injury problems in the first part of the season, the Brazilian striker was not included in the club’s Europa League squad.
You read that correctly; the most expensive player in the Rangers squad didn’t play a single minute as Philippe Clement’s team earned an admirable top eight finish.
There is still some time before Rangers will play their Europa League last 16 tie and Philippe Clement clearly believes the striker has a role to play.
Rangers have included Danilo for the Europa League knockouts in what must be viewed as a genuine boost to the club’s chances in the competition.
With either Fenerbahce, Anderlecht, FC Twente or Bodo/Glimt lying in wait, Rangers will need all the help they can get as they vie for a place in the competition’s quarter finals.
But should Rangers make a proper fist of it in the hunt for a place in this season’s Final in Bilbao, perhaps the £6m man from Sao Paolo will have a big role to play.
