In the last run of fixtured between international breaks, it looked as though Philippe Clement had solved Rangers striker problem when Danilo finally got a run of games.
A run of games saw him score three times and create five assists for teammates, however, in recent fixtures he has only managed a solitary assist and that was for Ross McCausland’s goal against Aris Limassol when the winger did most of the work himself.
What the Rangers boss needs to avoid, after the win over Hearts, is make a snap decision and rotate Danilo despite the 24-year old missing a series of easy chances at Tynecastle.
Why Rangers have to persevere with Danilo
There were two chances in particular that the former Ajax and Feyenoord striker nust have been sitting in the changing room after the game shaking his head at.
Why did he not hit them first time?
One, a knockdown from Leon Balogun and the other, after Zander Clark dropped an easy catch.
Ally McCoist missed plenty of sitters in his time but he was also there, week, after week, to go again.
The last thing Clement should do is bench Danilo because all he will be thinking about is the chances that he missed and the pressure will only increase next time he pulls on a Rangers shirt.
What he should be praised for is his movement that got him into those positions in the first place.
There is also an underlying statistic that the Gers gaffer will be fully aware of and it is that Danilo has the best goals contribution per 90 minute ratio in the league, according to Opta, which, obviously, makes him the most accurate striker in our squad.
Keep giving him chances and he will score goals more consistently than anyone else in the squad, it’s that simple.
Without looking past Dundee at Ibrox at the weekend, there are two big games next week against Real Betis and Aberdeen and Danilo should be the one leading the line for Rangers.
As long as the limp he left the Tynecastle park with isn’t anything sinister…
