After months in the shadows, Danilo found redemption as he powered Rangers to a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock. The Brazilian striker, whose absence from the starting lineup began after a Champions League disaster in Brugge, finally made his mark under new manager Danny Rohl. His return to form brought a wave of relief not only to himself but also to the Ibrox support that had endured a turbulent season.
Danilo had started the season as Russell Martin’s preferred striker, but his fortunes quickly changed when he was dropped from the squad following a humiliating defeat. The Brazilian’s frustration mirrored that of teammate Youssef Chermiti, who himself had just ended a lengthy goal drought. For Danilo, the weeks away from the team felt endless.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Nobody sees the hard work you do behind the scenes so yeah, 100 percent, a goal always lifts you up,” Danilo explained. “I was counting in the days when I was not in the squad. So I just put in the hard work and looked to keep my mentality strong for whenever the opportunity would happen.”
With new signings Bojan Miovski and Chermiti joining the squad, Danilo fell further down the pecking order. However, the arrival of Danny Rohl gave him a fresh start. Rohl’s decision to recall Danilo and alter the team’s formation paid immediate dividends, as Danilo’s headed goal restored Rangers’ lead against Kilmarnock.
Reflecting on his journey, Danilo said, “It was really good to be back. Overall, I’m really happy to be back playing and helping my teammates. That’s what I’m here for. Obviously when a new manager comes, you always want to help and want to be playing. With the previous manager, I started playing but then was not part of it, so obviously it’s hurtful and difficult because you’re there to help. But this is the past. Danny took the role and it’s been good.”
Rohl’s tactical changes, including a three-man defense and a box midfield, demonstrated his willingness to reshape the squad. He made bold substitutions, swapping out Miovski for Danilo at halftime. Danilo thrived in his new role, highlighting his versatility and willingness to adapt. “I always like to move around…for me, it’s no preference, obviously whatever the manager asks you to do, you will play and then obviously you’re happy to do what he’s asking for. Even if he says ‘play as a defender’, I just like to play!”
The mood at Ibrox has shifted under Rohl’s tenure. The toxic atmosphere that clouded the end of Martin’s reign has dissipated, replaced by renewed optimism among supporters—even when setbacks occur during matches. “We all know that we need the support for 90 minutes, so that’s what we saw on Sunday. It doesn’t matter what happened in the game, they kept making us believe in ourselves even when [Killie got] a lucky goal from the set-piece. But when they push us on to keep it going and kept their faith in us, we turned it around,” Danilo noted.
As Rangers look to rebuild their season, Danilo’s resurgence offers hope that both he and the team can move forward from a difficult period. With the backing of a supportive crowd and a manager unafraid to make tough decisions, the club appears poised for gradual improvement.
