DANILO says he is in a happy place after making his return from a seven-month knee injury.
After getting back on the pitch last weekend against Ajax, the striker played another 15 minutes in today’s friendly against Manchester United and said it is ‘beautiful’ to be playing in front of the supporters again.
Speaking exclusively to RangersTV at full-time at Murrayfield, Danilo said: “I am buzzing every moment I am on the field. I just remember being a kid and I enjoy playing football and sometimes I just don't even realise that I am just back.
“When you are on the field everything is around you, the people screaming, and it is so beautiful to see. I am buzzing, I am in such a happy place, and I am really happy at Rangers as well - I love this place.
“It is day by day, also in the training, I’ll start to do a little bit extra and now they can manage how many minutes I can do and not irritate the knee. Sometimes with the knee you never know about tomorrow so today I feel good but tomorrow my knee can get swelling so it is about communication.
“Right now, there has been no reaction, and I can build up more minutes as well as confidence. When I am on the field I just forget about my knee, forget about everything I just love to play football, so it has been amazing.”
On the friendly against Manchester United, which saw the Premier League side run out 2-0 winners, Danilo added: “It was obviously a strong opponent, and we knew the quality of United, so it was difficult for us today. Obviously, we didn't want to lose and have this result, but it was a great opportunity for us to build up more minutes in the legs.
“It is about connection as well, so we are building connections together, everybody is getting minutes, and it is always good to have these strong opponents because you build up a really strong mentality as well. It is about make sure everybody is sharp and ready to give everything when the league starts so I think it is always a great test especially against a strong opponent.”