GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Igor Paixao of Feyenoord feels as though he has lost his footballing brother as Rangers’ Danilo, the Eredivisie champion, now leads the line at Ibrox.
Danilo’s Rangers career thus far has been characterized by it. A brief window of hope, then a disappointment.
The £6 million summer signing will not be able to capitalize on what may have been a “coming of age” moment for him as a Rangers player during tonight’s Europa League start against Real Betis because he fractured his cheekbone on Saturday while slamming a header into the St. Johnstone goal.
Igor Paixao, a close friend and former teammate of Danilo, experienced his own problems in Europe this week. During Tuesday’s 2-0 triumph over a downed Celtic, the Feyenoord winger had a penalty saved by Joe Hart after Danilo had already joined the Hoops goalie in Glasgow.
Danilo was acquired by Rangers from Dutch champions Feyenoord. According to Paixao on the Feyenoord website, “(Danilo) was crucial to my adjustment here the first season,” with Rangers’ number 99 taking a fellow Brazilian under his wing at De Kuip.
He was fluent in Dutch and was familiar with the country. He truly gave me a brotherly feeling. He has provided for my family and I in ways that are almost unfathomable. Through Voetbal Primeur, Paixao continues, “I owe him so much.
The fact that he went for the Scottish league is unfortunate. Of course, I miss him. But football and life both go their separate ways.
“Everyone goes about things in their own way.”
Danilo has only shown a few tantalizing glimmers of his potential at Ibrox, surpassing the record established by the legendary Ronaldo at PSV with nine goals in his first ten Eredivisie appearances while on loan with FC Twente.
His third goal for Mick Beale’s team in ten games came on a header against St. Johnstone.
Midway through October, Danilo will be absent.
Beale told Rangers Review, “I saw Danilo (on Wednesday),” indicating that the striker, along with Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell, won’t be available for Real Betis.
Honestly, he still appears to be in pain. He underwent effective surgery on all affected locations; there are several. Around the end of the international window (next month), I anticipate that he will return to non-contact training.
“Ideally, he will return the first week following the international competition in October, but it might take a few weeks. All we can do is wait and see. In two weeks, he gets another consultation.
