Latest news with #Danilo
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Danilo fit and firing for Athens return leg after emerging unscathed from 'scary' tackle
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. '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 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.'
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers star Danilo opens up on ‘scary' injury worry as he bids to put years of crock hell behind him
The striker was hit by a crunching challenge during the Gers' friendly with Middlesbrough 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. Advertisement 4 Danilo has found a scoring streak this pre-season Credit: Willie Vass 4 He was crunched by Middlesbrough's Dael Fry at Ibrox Credit: Willie Vass 4 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement '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. 4 'He's a really good human being. Advertisement '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. Advertisement 'You should be able to look each other in the eye and know you both behaved properly. 'I think he goes with that.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Danilo is Rangers mentality monster as reborn striker reveals comeback secrets and talks up Martin's methods
Now the 26-year-old is lean and mean as he netted his side's first in their comeback 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough Determined Danilo reckons he's a mentality monster after banishing his demons to propel himself back to prominence at Rangers. The Brazilian's first two years at Ibrox have been blighted by serious injury and the mental scarring which reduced him to becoming a peripheral figure under previous regimes. But now the 26-year-old is lean and mean as he netted his side's first in their comeback 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough to cap off a statement pre-season under Russell Martin which has him in the mix to lead the line in the Champions League second leg crunch against Panathinaikos. The £6m former Feyenoord striker has been grinding since before the end of the last campaign with a shortened pre-season. He is convinced he's primed and ready for his defining moment as a Rangers player. He said: "Definitely. Especially with my great coaches in Brazil who helped me a lot. After the last game, before I went on vacation, I was already talking with some people to help me a lot. I knew new staff would come in, I wanted to be in my best shape and I also wanted to show my qualities and I'm ready, if I start or I'm on the bench, focus on the positive things. "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. I knew I would have to be ready, especially with the Scottish league. I tried to become stronger, especially mentally, the way they play (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." Danilo reckons his rediscovered belief is twofold - emboldened by the injury blues not getting him down and emboldened by the extra efforts he's putting into his game. He added: "Yes. I have been unlucky, in some situations. It's just a game, if you get tackled, it's not about the physical, things happen but if you put in your mind that you can turn things around then you can work hard then other things will come. "Right now I feel physically better, I feel my body is much better as well, I am keeping up my nutrition and eating well. That will help a lot in the future to avoid those injuries. Then hopefully I just stay fit and try to help the team as much as I can." Danilo is ticking off personal milestones with every passing week and a crunching tackle he was on the receiving end of an industrial tackle from Dael Fry which resulted in John Beaton reaching for the yellow card. The forward was left curled up in agony with home supporters within Ibrox gasping in unison. However, the new Danilo is made of sterner stuff. And while he doesn't welcome being wiped out he understands it's something he must withstand with plenty more industrial challenges awaiting him in the Scottish Premiership. He said: "It was scary, actually, at the time when I got hurt, thank god nothing happened, the thing is I knew I would have to come through a challenge. I told him 'it's a friendly game', if it was a real game then you know you wouldn't 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. I know in a real game in the Scottish league what might happen. I have to be ready for that. It will be alright." He expects his seismic pre-season to pay off after finding the net against Barnsley, Dunfermline and Boro plus chipping in with a hat-trick of assists as Neil Lennon's Pars got an up close look at a player reborn. Danilo added: "It's huge. Especially if you score, if you have a good pre-season with a couple of goals. What I put in my head, sometimes, is if I just have one chance or two then I have to be sharp for what is coming, whether I start or not. I have to be ready for whatever comes. It has been a good pre-season." And he reckons Martin's style of play which comes with a cavalry of supporting players helping out the main striker. He believes his manager's vision is perfect for his best attributes. Now Danilo insists he's living in the moment of a Rangers set-up where strike pals Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane have been linked with summer exits. He said: "The style of play just suits me a lot. I like to try and help the team, the link-up and trying to be there and build-up from the back, it's helping the strikers a lot, the midfielders, everyone is around, you are just making things better, the build-up and then going to the final third. Everyone is trying to be connected together. It's good."
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Findlay Curtis rescues Rangers but Martin's marching orders show there's nothing friendly about it
The home side responded from two goals down to seal a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough at Ibrox Russell Martin handed his fringe men their big chance to stake a claim ahead of Athens. But it was the emergence of his top team off the bench after an hour which ensured they head to Greece without momentum being ruined, coming from behind to seal a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough. Findlay Curtis followed up his wonder goal against Panathinaikos with a 79th minute equaliser after Danilo had halved Boro's two goal lead in a well fought friendly. But the big talking point arrived at half time when Martin failed to return to the sidelines for the second half - and it later emerged he'd been sent to the stands by John Beaton for over-stretching his arguments over a penalty shout. The Championship side blazed ahead after nine minutes when Law McCabe's in-swinging corner - after Scotland striker Tommy Conway had a shot blocked - was flicked on at the front post and bundled home by Neto Borges. Boro were well ahead in terms of first half chances created and Conway twice, McCabe and Delano Burgzorg went close while one-time Gers target Morgan Whittaker smacked a post. Cyriel Dessers brought a strong near post save from Sol Bryn and Rangers were denied a penalty when Luke Ayling's attempts to clear Connor Barron's corner saw the ball clearly strike his hand - something that incensed Martin heading down the tunnel at half time. Dale Fry made it 2-0 after 56 minutes when he ghosted in unchallenged at the back post to guide Whittaker's deep free kick home at the second attempt. Martin threw on the cavalry on the hour mark with James Tavernier, Max Aarons, Kieran Dowell, Nico Raskin, Findlay Curtis, Danilo and Nasser Djiga bolstering the ranks. Within four minutes Aarons and Danilo combined to half the deficit as the former's inswinging cross from the left was glanced home by the Brazilian. And parity was restored on 79 minutes when Nico Raskin's header from Kieran Dowell's corner was saved but Curtis was alive to prod home. There wasn't much friendly about it, and here are our five talking points from Ibrox. Pana ready? Another afternoon where Rangers start slowly and finish strongly. There was a reason this time as Rangers' second string struggled to cope with an almost full-strength Boro for an hour. It was a tough test for the fringe men but the instant turn in fortunes when the old guard entered the fray after 60 minutes will have pleased Martin. Not only did Aarons and Danilo combine to bring Rangers back into the contest within four minutes but suddenly it was the home side dictating play and forcing the visitors back after Boro had bossed the majority of the opening 60. Nico Raskin's bite in the middle was key to that while Lyall Cameron's half time introduction brought an urgency and threat in behind the strikers with the ex-Dundee man voted man of the match for his efforts. The big takeaway is to not expect many changes to the starting line-up in Athens from that which took the field at Ibrox on Tuesday. Shake it up Martin said he'd make changes and he wasn't kidding with an entire team of fringe men stepping in from the side that started against Panathinaikos. Oscar Cortes at right back was a bold first half experiment and the Colombian looked hungry to get on the ball going forward where his ability to take a man on was clear. Teenager Zander Hutton lined up in the middle of defence beside Emmanuel Fernandez who brought a composure on the ball at the back as well as a physical presence. Djeidi Gassama came in from the start after his wonder goal off there bench against Pana and Cyriel Dessers and Josh Gentles made up the forward three. Gassama showed flashes of what he's all about, skinning his man and flashing dangerous balls across the face of goal. Dessers struggled for service though and looked way short of match sharpness. Martin sees red Russell Martin was conspicuous by his absence on the touchline after the break. Turns out he spent the second half n the club deck with the supporters having been sent to the stands by John Beaton. The Gers gaffer took issue with Beaton's failure to award a penalty shortly before the break when Connor Barron's corner clearly struck Boro defender Luke Ayling's hand. His protests overstepped the mark according to the whistler. But the gaffer later confirmed he'd kissed and made up with the officials. Con the man If Steve Clarke was watching he'll have liked what he saw from Tommy Conway. The Scotland striker showed exactly why he's become a regular in Clarke's squad with a dominant 75-minute run out leading the Boro line. Strong, a workhorse and with an eye for goal, Conway had a big chance blocked by Jefte early on before the visitors took the lead from the resultant corner. The big frontman then flashed a shot wide as he showed and an effort disallowed for offside which looked marginal. With 13 goals last season the 22-year-old is a bit of a favourite with the Middlesbrough fans and was a real handful for Gers' makeshift defence. Propper headache The morning confirmation of Robin Propper's exit to FC Twente began what Martin will hope is soon to be an exodus from his first team squad. A mammoth THIRTY SEVEN players were listed in the programme - taking up the full length of a page - in comparison to Middlesbrough's far more efficient 23. Propper's move back home means that is now cut to 36 but Gers chiefs know they need to streamline much further especially if they are to bring more new faces in before the end of August. Big earners including Jose Cifuentes, Rabbi Matondo, Ben Davies and Ridden Yilmaz were on the list but again nowhere to be seen in the match day squad and no doubt top the list of those needing moved on.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers 2 Middlesbrough 2: Russell Martin sent off as Danilo and Curtis goals see Gers mount fightback at Ibrox
None of the side that played Pananthinaikos started the match FRIENDLY FIRE Rangers 2 Middlesbrough 2: Russell Martin sent off as Danilo and Curtis goals see Gers mount fightback at Ibrox Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IF Russell Martin didn't know already, he certainly knows now. Too many players in his bloated Rangers squad are simply not good enough. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Danilo pulls a goal back for Rangers Credit: Willie Vass 3 Findlay Curtis scores for Rangers to make it 2-2 Credit: Willie Vass 3 Russell Martin sent to the stand Credit: Getty This was a chance for the Ibrox fringe stars to stake their claim ahead of Wednesday's massive Champions League qualifying second leg against Panathinaikos. Not one stuck their hand up in the 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough. The likes of Jefte, Connor Barron, Nedim Bajrami and Oscar Cortes were all given the chance to impress. Three of the four were put out of their misery with an hour on the clock and Rangers two goals down. Youngsters like Zander Hutton, Bailey Rice and Josh Gentles also toiled on an afternoon that only served to underline the size of the rebuild required. Only after the deployment of the heavy artillery from the bench did Rangers manage to claw their way back into a match that was threatening to pass them by. Danilo started the fightback moments after coming on, with midweek hero Findlay Curtis scrambling home the equaliser. Sadly for Gers fans, there was still no sign of Thelo Aasgaard, the Norwegian international who'd missed Gers' win over Panathinaikos with a knee injury. The fact he failed to even make the bench against Boro means the midfielder must now be considered a massive doubt ahead of Wednesday's crunch second leg in Athens. Given the excitement surrounding his capture from Luton, it's a continued source of frustration for the Light Blues. With so much at stake in Greece, Gers boss Martin understandably shuffled his pack for the friendly against Middlesbrough. Rangers transfer special assesses whether Conor Coady deal is OFF, if Hamza Igamane will leave and when the Gers can expect more incomings Liam Kelly started in goals, while there was a first start for another midweek hero Djeidi Gassama. Cortes and Cyriel Dessers were also included, but Hamza Igamane was nowhere to be seen. The Moroccan striker also now a doubt for Athens. Championship side Middlesbrough have endured a frustrating summer in the transfer market, with new head coach Rob Edwards finally making his first signing on Friday. Alfie Jones joined from Hull on a four-year deal, but had to settle for the bench at Ibrox. Despite a much changed side, this was a vital warm-up for Gers as they prepare for that all-important Champions League second leg second round qualifier. Goals from Curtis and Gassama ensures Martin's men are in control of their own group stage destiny. But the Ibrox gaffer has been at pains to point out the tie is far from over. The chance then to get some much needed minutes into the legs of Dessers, Gassama and Cortes meant this would be a worthwhile exercise. Even if Gers once again endured a torrid first half. Middlesbrough were sharper and slicker in and out of possession. They hunted in packs and put Rangers under enormous pressure in the early exchanges. Gers, for their part, just couldn't keep a hold of the ball. They were making life easy for the visitors who created numerous chances inside the first 30 minutes. The first came with just nine minutes on the clock. After a rare Rangers attack broke down, Boro moved it quickly with Tommy Conway getting in behind the Light Blues defence. Jefte did well to get across and thwart the Scotland striker. But from the resultant corner, Boro took the lead. Law McCabe's set-piece delivery was flicked on at the near post with Neto Borges - a late replacement for Rav van der Berg - bundling the ball home. Connor Barron was then robbed of possession by the excellent Aidan Morris who clipped a wonderful pass into the feet of Conway. This time, the Boro man dragged his effort wide. Moments later, McCabe did exactly the same. Rangers hadn't got going. But there's no doubt Nedim Bajrami should have done better after Corters and Gassama combined to create the opening. The Albanian probably had more time than he thought, slicing his shot well wide of target. Moments later, Rangers survived another huge scare. Morgan Whittaker - linked with the Ibrox club last summer - struck the post before Jefte again got across to block Luke Ayling on the rebound. It was harem-scarem stuff as far as Rangers were concerned, with no one given the manager food for thought ahead of Wednesday's return against Panathinaikos. Indeed, it took until five minutes before the break before Dessers forced Boro keeper Sol Brynn into his first save of the afternoon. From the resultant corner, Ayling clearly handled the ball, but ref John Beaton waved play on. Lyall Cameron was on for the start of the second half with Dessers hooked. After a quiet start, Boro deservedly doubled their advantage. Once again, the Gers defence was at sixes and sevens, failing to Whittaker's free-kick and allowing Fry to sneak at unmarked the back post. Martin had seen enough - making SEVEN changes as the big guns came off the bench. Within minutes, two of the subs had combined to hand Gers a lifeline. Max Aarons' cross was met by Danilo who steered the ball past Brynn. It was much more like it from Rangers who were showing much more aggression and control in the areas that mattered. With 12 minutes left, they got the leveller their second half performance merited. It was all a bit of a mess, with the Boro defence this time all at sea. In failing to clear Dowell's corner, they allowed the ball to find its way to Curtis who squeezed it home/ Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
