One of the biggest problems that faced Philippe Clement when he joined Rangers was the injury list that crippled previous incumbents.
The manager, understandably, wants to have a fully fit squad available as often as possible.
This season, there have been signs of improvement other than having to deal with the usual suspects like Ridvan Yilmaz and Rabbi Matondo breaking down as well as those like Oscar Cortes and Danilo, who are returning from surgery and long-term absences, suffering set-backs.
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Danilo nears Rangers return after injury update
There has been some good news from the Rangers boss in the pre-match press conference for the Scottish Premiership fixture against Kilmarnock, particularly when it comes to the Brazilian striker.
Danilo scored on his only and much-anticipated league appearance of the season but, despite returning to training, the Gers number 99, might have to be patient to see his name on the starting team-sheet:
“It’s not the same with a player who was playing for nine months, and then three weeks out with an injury, and then comes back,” said Clement.
“This is a different case, so we need to look at it that way also. But I follow the work of the medical and performance staff to do the right thing for him.
“Is it that he can do half of the training, or one-fifth, or one exercise, yes, and another not?
“I adapt everything towards him, like we do with all the players coming back out of injury.
“But it’s a case where you need to be more prudent about building it up in a very nice way. “
Clement is right to be patient with Danilo
Clement is right to take this approach.
Any player who has missed as much high volume and intensity training as Danilo is always more at risk of secondary injuries.
There is a long-term picture to be aware of and there are still nearly 30 league games left this season.
With no place in the Europa League squad, Danilo will have a huge part to play in the remainder of 2024, even if it is just off the bench.
Kilmarnock and their plastic pitch, might come just a week or two too soon though.
