Journalist tips Danilo return in Rangers v Hearts, needs to find ‘shooting boots’
Danilo should come back into Rangers’ starting XI at Hearts on Wednesday in place of Cyriel Dessers, Derek Clark has said.
The Rangers Review journalist conceded the forward was not at his best as the Gers limped to a 1-1 draw with Aris Limassol in the Europa League last Thursday (30 November).
However, he believes Rangers were “limp” in attack in the 2-0 beating of St Mirren on Sunday (3 December) and with Cyriel Dessers “flattering to deceive”, Clark wants a change up top at Tynecastle.
“Rangers were limp in attack for much of the game with Cyriel Dessers flattering to deceive for much of it,” he wrote for the Rangers Review (6 December).
“Danilo should regain his place up top as he offers so much more although he needs to put his shooting boots on as they were missing against Aris last Thursday.”
Fellow Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie concurred, writing: “Ross McCausland more than merits keeping his place on the right and Abdallah Sima’s return to goalscoring form from the left could be key. Danilo should play ahead of Todd Cantwell who must be Clement’s pick at No.10 for the foreseeable.”
No brainer
It is not for want of trying, but frankly it just is not working out for Dessers in a Rangers shirt.
To be a success as a striker at Ibrox you need to be a prolific forward and, well, Dessers just is not that is he? A return of four goals from 12 Premiership outings is proof of that.
Danilo has four from 11 in the league, but only four of those appearances have been as a starter. It is true that Danilo has also been a little stop-start in his Rangers career, partly down to injuries.
But from a simple eye test, the Brazilian forward is more mobile, more dynamic, and more of a goal threat in general than Dessers and, if fit, he should start as his attributes better complement McCausland and Sima up top.
If Rangers can get themselves into a lead at Hearts then Dessers may be a useful option off the bench as his hold-up play is arguably a little stronger, but it is hard to make an argument he should start.
In other Rangers news, one summer signing has to be seeking a January exit already as he he has no Ibrox future.