7 hours ago
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It would once have been described as a ‘welcome to the game’ tackle.
Moments after being one of seven Rangers players introduced by Russell Martin on the hour mark, Danilo crashed to the turf and, for a few seconds, Ibrox fell silent.
The challenge from behind by Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry in Saturday’s 2-2 friendly draw was woeful. Perhaps it would have been a red card in a competitive game.
As referee John Beaton dutifully produced a yellow, Nico Raskin made his feelings known to the visiting defender and he was not alone.
Since joining Rangers from Feyenoord in 2023, Brazilian striker Danilo has not had his troubles to seek. He missed a couple of months with a broken cheekbone. Then came two serious knee injuries in successive years. As he lay stricken on the turf, you feared he’d been dealt another cruel hand.
The sight of him not only returning to his feet but to the action was greeted as warmly as the goal he claimed with a cute header to halve Boro’s lead within four minutes of taking the field.
Nico Raskin is is left furious after Fry is shown just a yellow card for his tackle on Danilo
The Brazilian striker would later pick himself up off the turf and head in Rangers' first goal
‘It was scary,’ recalled the man from Sao Paulo. ‘Thank God nothing happened. I knew I would have to come through a challenge. I told him: “It’s a friendly game”. If it was a real game he would have got a red card straight away.’
While the risk of injury remains an occupational hazard, Danilo felt better placed to avoid one in that instance than at any time since moving to Glasgow.
Having fallen out of sight so often, he was in danger of being out of mind as a wind of change swept through the club.
He resolved to spent much of the summer recess toughening up. The upshot was that he returned for pre-season training under Martin feeling more robust than before.
‘My coaches in Brazil helped me a lot,’ he said. ‘After the last game, before I went on vacation, I was already talking with some people to help me. I knew new staff would come in, so I wanted to be in my best shape. I also wanted to show my qualities so I’m ready if I start or I’m on the bench. I want to focus on the positive things.
‘I tried to become stronger. The way they play (in the Scottish Premiership), there are a lot of duels. My head is in a great place and the manager is trying to talk to me a lot.
‘Right now, I feel physically better. Hopefully I stay fit and try to help the team as much as I can.’
Having come through pre-season just about unscathed, a place in the starting 11 which faced Panathinaikos last week was the vote of confidence he craved. With Martin experimenting for the first hour against the Teesiders, the
Danilo sees the funny side as Rangers fight back to draw 2-2 with Middlesbrough
Ibrox boss Russell Martin was shown a red card for protesting over the failure to award his side a penalty
fact Danilo was held in reserve pointed towards another start in Athens on Wednesday.
Having wiped the slate clean, the new manager evidently likes what he sees in the forward. The feeling is mutual.
‘The style of play just suits me a lot,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘I like to try and help the team, help the link-up, trying to be there and build-up from the back.
‘Everyone is trying to be connected together. It’s good.’
On Saturday, Martin took some time to like what he was seeing. Cyriel Dessers was off it, Jefte did little to change the pattern of the match and Nedim Bajrami seemed to be everywhere the ball had just been. They can all expect to start on the bench in Athens.
Boro claimed an early goal through Neto Borges and Fry added a second after the turnaround, with Martin then ringing the changes. His side were much the better for it.
Danilo’s cute header came from fellow sub Max Aarons’ cross. Findlay Curtis, who was also introduced after an hour, completed a dream week by bundling home a late leveller.
Martin viewed the comeback from a seat in the main stand after crossing the line in a verbal exchange with referee Beaton at the break. How the officials missed a clear handball by Luke Ayling, only they could explain. Any further punishment for the Rangers manager seems highly unlikely.
What can be taken for read as Athens comes into view ahead of the start of the domestic season is the identity of his first-choice striker.
‘I was really pleased with my goal,’ said Danilo. ‘It’s a good feeling, especially for Wednesday.
‘If I just have one chance or two then I have to be sharp for what is coming.’
