Rangers boss Philippe Clement claims he held talks over signing Brazilian striker Danilo during his time in charge of Club Brugge.
The Ibrox gaffer was speaking about Danilo as the masked striker steals the headlines with a late winner against Hearts at Ibrox.
Having seen the beginning of his career at Rangers interrupted by that fractured cheekbone sustained after scoring v St Johnstone, there’s excitement growing around the reported £5.6m ex-Feyenoord striker.
Now, Philippe Clement has claimed that he held talks over signing Danilo during his time in charge at Club Brugge as the Brazilian looked set to leave Ajax.
“I knew him when he was at Ajax and I was at Brugge,” said Clement. “We talked about him at the moment when he was struggling to get into the team at Ajax.
“He was going to leave in January I think. We had some talks about that. But finally it did not happen.
“So I knew him already for a long time. I think he is someone with potential, but who also still needs to learn a lot of the details of what the job is. But he has the potential to grow. And I think this is a good environment for him.”
Philippe Clement wanted Danilo at Club Brugge
The Rangers boss was also speaking about Danilo potentially getting a start at Dens Park as the Gers prepare to face Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
Still building up fitness after that devastating blow away at McDiarmid Park, Danilo is also still wearing a mask at Rangers and the ex-Club Brugge boss boss is clear that the 25-year-old isn’t ready to play 90 minutes.
But that doesn’t mean that the striker isn’t in line to start v Dundee with the likes of Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers struggling to make an impression in Glasgow.
“That’s a good question, you’ll see tomorrow,” said Clement. “He’s ready to play, we will see what is important in this game.
“If it’s necessary if he starts, or if he comes in, it depends on the opponents also, what profiles you need and the physical state of the players. He’s not ready for 90 minutes that’s logical.”
Danilo has now netted four goals since moving to Rangers in the summer and Ibrox fans might be happy Philippe Clement didn’t bring him to Club Brugge.
The striker is fast becoming a fans’ favourite and Rangers fans have starting adopting an Oasis classic in homage to the striker.
