BBC pundit shares damning Danilo verdict as ‘jury is out’ on big-money Rangers signing
Steven Thompson has provided a damning verdict on new Rangers signing Danilo after a disappointing start to his Ibrox career.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound on 15 August, the pundit felt the Brazilian struggled to have an impact in the game against Servette FC on 15 August.
The former Gers forward said the “jury is out” on the 24-year-old, who joined the club from Feyenoord in a deal worth a reported £6million on 28 July.
“It is too early to make any judgements really just now,” said Thompson. “You are better placed to make a judgement on them in a couple of months time.
“But I felt as though Danilo struggled in the game, to have an impact. It didn’t really suit him and he misses the chance. Probably his confidence and head probably goes down a wee bit. Dessers offers something different, more physical but not quite as mobile.
“The jury is out for me. The thing is when you are replacing Morelos, not talking about his last couple of seasons, but the amount of goals that he scored and the player he was when he was at his peak, he could cause defences all sorts of problems.
“I felt Danilo didn’t cause problems with his movement, running at players, didn’t look a real goal threat. He has a lot to do but we are three games into his new club and he hasn’t got off to a flier, and hopefully for him and for Rangers he can build up into the player they want him to be.”
Needs time
There is obviously going to be pressure on Danilo to deliver after arriving at Rangers for a fairly big transfer fee, but he needs time to gel at the club.
He arrived at Ibrox just a few days before the season was set to start after having what was probably not the best pre-season due to the transfer speculation around him, so it could take him a few weeks to get up to speed.
Thompson is right to point out that it is a heavy burden to come in and replace Alfredo Morelos, though, after the Colombian forward scored 124 goals and laid on 58 assists in his 269 games for the club.
The Brazilian’s performance against Servette, however, was pretty poor and he should’ve really scored the guilt-edged chance he missed at the back post in the first half.
Cyriel Dessers came on for his fellow striker and looked bright, so Michael Beale may be tempted to start the Nigerian international against Greenock Morton in the Scottish League Cup on 19 August.
But it could also be an opportunity to hand Danilo another opportunity to prove his worth and gain some confidence against the Scottish Championship side.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have been linked with a player Ferguson described as “incredible”.