Rangers boss Philippe Clement is looking for striker Danilo to really grow during some intense training over the international break.
Rangers advanced to the Viaplay Cup final on Sunday afternoon, beating Hearts 3-1 at Hampden Park.
James Tavernier scored two second half goals, finding the net either side of a Scott Wright strike to send Rangers into the final.
This was a fourth win in five games for new boss Philippe Clement with Rangers now showing real signs of improvement under the Belgian.
Philippe Clement is looking for Danilo to ‘grow more’ at Rangers
There was no goal for Danilo here, but he did contribute massively to Rangers’ 3-1 win.
Danilo won the penalty for Tavernier’s opener before setting up Wright to make it 2-0.
The Brazilian can be pleased with his contribution in attack as he continues to make strides under Clement.
The Rangers boss has now told Rangers Review that Danilo has ‘shown positive things’ for Rangers and is ‘well connected’ with his teammates.
Clement added that Danilo is not fully fit right now, having only recently returned from a facial injury.
Clement also highlighted that Danilo can ‘grow more’ over the international break, suggesting that he can really ‘go hard’ in training over the international break.
“If you ask something about Danilo, he is one of the guys who is focused on the details every time to do what we want him to do in every situation, to be in that position,” said Clement. “Because of that, he is well connected with all the players around him. He has shown positive things. He has come out of an injury so he is not at his fittest at the moment but playing the games and getting the training under his belt.”
“Also need week we have an international week and we can go hard with some guys so he can grow more. There are other guys also who will push. It is not that Danilo is guaranteed to play every game,” he added.
Danilo starting to distance himself from Cyriel Dessers
It sounds like Clement has big plans for Danilo in this upcoming international break, believing that he can take a real step forward in terms of fitness and his role in the team.
Danilo now appears to be Clement’s preferred option up front and is beginning to distance himself from Cyriel Dessers in the Rangers pecking order.
Dessers just hasn’t clicked for Rangers yet and has already become viewed as something of a clumsy striker.
We aren’t giving up on Dessers at all; he scored goals in Serie A last season and was effective for Feyenoord the year before.
Danilo now seems to be making a much bigger impact though, and his recent displays mean he could emerge as the first-choice striker moving forward – even if Clement was keen to note that he isn’t guaranteed to start every game.
