DANILO always longed to get his hands on a shirt belonging to his Brazilian idol Ronaldo when he was a young boy growing up in Sao Paulo.
But his dream never, even though he was in the youth ranks at Corinthians in his home city when the legendary forward was playing for the first team there, came true.
So when the Rangers’ forward saw a youngster standing at the side of the Hampden pitch last night wearing a mask similar to the one he has donned since suffering a facial injury and holding his country’s flag he immediately went over and handed him his top.
The £5.3m summer signing was pleased to play his part in Rangers’ comfortable 3-0 victory over Hearts in the Viaplay Cup semi-final yesterday: he won the second half penalty which his captain James Tavernier converted and then supplied substitute Scott Wright with the assist for his goal.
However, making the day of the young Bear who had gone to the last four encounter with his father in the hope of catching a glimpse of his hero was every bit as satisfying.
“When I went out I saw the Brazilian flag and the mask,” he said. “So it is really special. I don’t have words for the love that the fans give me. I just want to give back.
“It just reminded me of when I was a young boy as well and I also wanted a shirt of a footballer. I was really happy I was able to do it. I never got one. I really liked Ronaldo when I was a kid, but I never had the time to really watch him in the stadium.
“It was a dream for the boy. I hope if he is a football player he can make his dreams come true and keep enjoying what he is doing.”
Danilo added: “With the passion and with my quality, I want to do everything for the fans, but also for the team mates and the club.
“I think that’s why the fans like me. They see a lot of passion in the player. Rangers is a passionate club. I just want to bring everything in the field. It is really great they have this love and support.”
The player who joined the Glasgow giants from Dutch club Feyenoord during the summer is certainly a fan of it.
“The song is brilliant,” he said. “I love hearing it. Yesterday actually I was with my wife and she said, ‘Dani are you going to sing your song?’ And I said, ‘Yeah!’ I just love this song and it’s become stuck in my head. I appreciate it.”
The 24-year-old is just as happy to set up his team mates for goals as he is to score them himself.
He was pleased to help both Tavernier and Wright net against Hearts – and he knows his new manager Philippe Clement was happy with his overall contribution as well.
“I saw the penalty,” he said. “The keeper definitely made contact with my feet. When you have contact it’s 100 per cent a penalty.
“I didn’t get a goal today, but every player has an important job to do. That’s what the gaffer said as well. He doesn’t care who scores as it’s all about the team.
“I’m glad that I got an assist and won the penalty, but I’m also happy for the boys who scored today. We’ll see the next time if I score or not, but I’m happy to be a part of the squad and to do everything for the team.”
Danilo added: “Tav’s doing brilliant, but I think that’s what he’s been doing for years. I’m really happy for him. I’m just going to keep doing my job.
“If there’s no goals or assists then I just want to do everything for the team. We all have a job to do. Everybody is important in this squad. It’s not just one spotlight, it’s on the whole squad. Everybody together.”
Clement has predicted that Danilo has far more to offer in the weeks and months ahead and the striker, who is going to have to wear his protective face mask until early next year, is optimistic that he does as well.
“I have to wear it until January,” he said. “I will just keep talking with the docs and will see how comfortable it is. Right now I feel good and I feel confident with the mask. I can do contact, duels and stuff like that. Just for now I wear it. It is about time. We will see how long I have to wear it.
“I’ve been working hard since my injury. I just want to do everything for the team. We’ll see with time. I just want to make my spot and help the team, on the field and off it. I just want to be a part of this amazing team.
“It is a dream come true to get to the final. It is amazing to play over here and to achieve the first final is something to be proud of.”
