Rangers star Danilo opens up on ‘scary' injury worry as he bids to put years of crock hell behind him
RARING TO GO Rangers star Danilo opens up on 'scary' injury worry as he bids to put years of crock hell behind him
DANILO insists he's ready to kick start his Rangers career after finally conquering his demons.
The 26-year-old has been blighted by injury since joining Gers in the summer of 2023.
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Danilo has found a scoring streak this pre-season
Credit: Willie Vass
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He was crunched by Middlesbrough's Dael Fry at Ibrox
Credit: Willie Vass
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The striker is now hoping to put years of injury hell behind him
Credit: Getty
After sparking Saturday's fightback in the 2-2 draw against Boro, the Brazilian walked away from a reckless Dael Fry tackle unscathed.
And he reckons it proves he now has the mental strength to cope with life in Glasgow.
The Gers star revealed: "I have been working really hard on my pre-season, and also before my vacation.
'I have been here two years with ups and downs.
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'I knew I would have to be ready, especially with the Scottish league.
'I've tried to become stronger, especially mentally, 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, being professional as well, it's just helping a lot, especially the way he wants to play.
'It's just been good for myself.
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'I took a knock in the game on Saturday.
"It was scary at the time when I got hurt, thank god nothing happened, the thing is I knew I would have to come through a challenge.
Rangers fans unfurl giant tifo ahead of Russell Martin's first match
'I told him 'it's a friendly game', if it was a real game then you know you would get a red card straight away.
'It was a good challenge, a test for myself, you don't want to risk it, especially if it's a friendly game.
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'I know in a real game in the Scottish league what might happen.
'I have to be ready for that.
'It will be alright."
Following Robin Propper's return to Twente Enschede, Ibrox boss Russell Martin admits other players will have to find new clubs this summer.
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It's understood there's interest from the MLS in Ross McCausland, while Ben Davies could make the move to Birmingham on a permanent basis.
The Gers gaffer stressed: 'I think others have to leave.
'We have interest in a fair few of the players, but as and when they go, I don't know.
'I just wait for Kevin to tell me what's going on.
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'While they're here, they'll be treated with care and respect and professionalism.
'It might not always be on the terms they want or like, but I think if we're honest with each other and we respect each other and they respect the group, there's not going to be a problem.'
Rangers banked £1.5million from the sale of Propper and Martin will look to immediately reinvest that in a new centre half.
But he insisted: 'Robin goes with everyone's best wishes.
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'The way he's dealt with being told he's not going to be part of things, training separately from the group with a few others, he's been incredible.
'I have to give him massive credit.
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'He's a really good human being.
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'I said to him, I said to the other guys who maybe are not part of the plans right now, and things can always change, but I said to them, it's never personal, it's only professional.
'I love Robin as a guy. I think the whole club does.
'I hope he gets a chance to come back and say goodbye to the staff and the players because he's a really, really top person and pro.
'We had a conversation when he left and that's how it should be.
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'You should be able to look each other in the eye and know you both behaved properly.
'I think he goes with that.'
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