Former Rangers star Neil McCann claims Brazilian striker Danilo could’ve “easily” scored six goals in the Scottish Premiership win over Dundee.
The former Dens Park manager insists that Danilo has to work on his finishing to become a success at Rangers but believes the early signs are certainly promising.
Neil McCann was talking after Danilo scored his second goal in as many games in the eventual 5-0 Scottish Premiership victory over Dundee.
Despite eventually scoring for Rangers, Danilo fluffed his lines three times in the first half and according to Neil McCann he can count himself unlucky not to score six against Dundee.
“I think he’s shown he’s got the movement, he’s got the pace,” Neil McCann told Sportscene.
“I think he’s got an eye of where he should be, it suggests that he could be successful.
“What he needs to work on is that end product, the finishing. He could’ve easily had five, six goals tonight.
“His movement (for Ryan Jack’s opening goal) is excellent. It’s the little intention of (Danilo’s) run down the side and it’s a shot on target and Trevor Carson – who had a really good night stopping Danilo – spills that one for Ryan Jack.
“But again it’s that movement and the touch. He took a lovely little touch (for a saved effort in the first half) and just tried to be too cute.
“Sometimes you maybe try and be too clever but I think his movement tonight and his speed really troubled Dundee.
“I think he’s proving that once he starts getting some goals and finding a bit of confidence, understanding our league – the tempo, the intensity, the aggression – once he gets used to that I think he could be a real good find for Rangers.”
Neil McCann reckons Danilo should’ve scored six v Dundee
Rangers paid a reported £5.6m to sign Danilo from Dutch champions Feyenoord in the summer but his start to life at Ibrox has been disrupted by injury.
After suffering that devastating fracture cheekbone against St Johnstone – where the striker put his head in where it hurts to open the scoring in a 2-0 victory – the former Ajax man is beginning to show why Michael Beale pounced in the summer.
Against Dundee, Danilo was a constant menace with his off the ball running, direct play and first touch football earning plenty of joy for a resurgent Rangers team.
Now on five goals for Rangers, the Ibrox support are certainly taking to the smiling Brazilian with the club’s fans belting out a rendition of Oasis classic She’s Electric in his honour.
Against Dundee we saw yet more progress in Danilo’s game and Rangers fans are getting excited by the notion of a fully fit and firing striker with the player still building up his fitness.
Who knows, maybe by the time Rangers roll around to Dundee again Danilo will be ready to net the six that Neil McCann believes he could’ve “easily” scored at Dens Park.
The Rangers striker is also showing exactly why Philippe Clement tried to sign him during his time in charge of Club Brugge.
