
Danilo on Rangers' Champions League hopes: 'We'll just keep fighting'
The Ibrox side saw their hopes of reaching the League Phase take a huge blow after a dismal first leg at home on Tuesday.
Rangers were 3-0 down after just 20 minutes, with a disastrous defensive display marking the worst possible start to the play-off. Danilo's second-half goal reduced the deficit but leaves the Premiership side needing a miracle in the return match next Wednesday.
It was the latest in a series of disappointing results early in head coach Russell Martin's tenure but Danilo said the team would give everything to try and turn things around.
'It's early in the process but obviously in the Champions League, this is not the kind of result you want,' he said. 'We'll just keep fighting.
'We are doing everything we can. I just hope [the supporters] can get behind us as well in these difficult moments. Then we try our best and give it everything we have.'
The Ibrox support made their feelings clear at half-time after the three Club Brugge goals that stunned Rangers, booing the team as they headed up the tunnel. Danilo said that was their prerogative but pointed to the backing in the second half, saying it helped with an improved performance.
'100 per cent,' he said. 'They have the right to come to the stadium and say what they want.
'They wanted their team to perform. 'The manager was trying to give his best and give his best ideas as well.
'We have to stick with that. It's a bit difficult at the moment but I think it just depends on us. Everybody has to be together because we need everybody on the field and outside too.
'Hopefully we get through. Obviously 100 per cent in Belgium we're going to go all out for the win with a different mindset.
'We just don't want to hurt [the fans]. We just want them to support us and to sing.
'I think that's what the ultras fans did as well. They sang for 90 minutes.
'I think that's what made us believe that we could perform in the second half as well. That's what we needed. Everybody together.'
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