Philippe Clement answers if Danilo will start for Rangers in Scottish Premiership showdown v Dundee
Philippe Clement has revealed that Danilo is ready to start for Rangers against Dundee on Wednesday (1 November).
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday (31 October, via the Daily Record), the Gers boss admitted that the 24-year-old forward isn’t ready to play 90 minutes just yet.
But he added that it is “quite a puzzle” as to whether the Brazilian starts the game or comes on against The Dee, with the decision largely depending on the opposition.
“It’s a good question,” Clement said when asked if Danilo could start. “We will see tomorrow. He is ready to play but we will see what is important in this game and if it is necessary that he starts or that he comes in.
“It depends on the opponent, but he is not ready for 90 minutes which is logical – but yeah, that is the difficulty for the moment. It’s quite a puzzle.”
Confidence
It’s been a largely hit-and-miss start to life with Rangers for Danilo as it has been for the majority of the players that came through the door at Ibrox over the summer.
The forward missed six games after suffering a broken cheekbone against St Johnstone in September, but he is slowly working his way back to full fitness.
After coming off the bench against Hearts to score the winner in the 2-1 victory on Sunday (29 October), he will have been provided with a much-needed confidence boost.
Perhaps handing the Brazilian a start against Dundee would give him a further lift to go out and show what he’s capable of even if he isn’t ready to play a full 90 minutes just yet.
Clement will know where he is at, though, and he’ll be getting advice from the physios on what the best course of action is for him heading into the game.
In other Rangers news, the Gers were torn to shreds in a newspaper after squandering £8million.