Rangers' new striker Danilo has saluted Michael Beale for giving him the creative freedom to find the correct attacking impulse - an autonomy that brought him a goal on his first league start at Ibrox at the weekend.
Signed for around £5m from Dutch side Feyenoord, the Brazilian comes with a big reputation for producing magic moments, as Livingston would find to their cost during what was beginning to look like a sticky final part of the afternoon in Govan. Goals are his currency but his play is more subtle than that of just another poacher. Beale has often talked about the need for "hybrid players" capable of fitting into tactical decrees designed to suit the wild variance in quality of opposition Rangers will face across the four competitions in which they start the season.
This was shown in Danilo's more withdrawn role yesterday, allowing the more physically powerful Cyriel Dessers to act as the team's focal point. And while that may be plan A, and one that will show more promise in the weeks and months ahead, it was the Nigerian's substitution and Danilo's move to the centre of an attacking trident that also featured pacy substitutes Rabbi Matondo and Abdullah Sima that moved the game from a single goal advantage to 4-0 easy street in short order. And it was Danilo's sharp movement and poised header for Rangers' second of the afternoon that provided the platform to go on and make the game truly comfortable.
Wherever and however he's positioned, the striker reveals he's been grafting to quickly integrate into the set-up.
He said: "I’ve been working really hard since day one and I always want to score to help the team. I’m really glad that the coach gives the attackers the freedom to do what we want to do. If you are in the right position at the right time then you need to show your quality. I’m really glad that I was in the right position and could score. I feel incredible. I’m super happy and I can’t really describe how I’m feeling just now.
Fellow new boy and likely frontline partner Dessers has had a slow start with social media already full of fans questioning his quality and suitability.
Beale seems sure that once up to the pace of the Scottish game and fully fit, Dessers can provide the perfect foil but he will have to earn adulation the hard way.
Not so Danilo, who seems an instant favourite. Playing with a smile always helps and the crowd have responded to a player whose exotic country of origin also carries a romance factor that ensures the benefit of the doubt is given.
"It was my first time being able to hear the fans’ love of me," he smiled. "I want to give them all the love that they’ve given me by scoring more goals and helping the team. I’m just really happy that they show this love towards me."
Of course, Scottish football hasn't exactly been a hotbed of success for those hailing from his part of the world. Even some of the better exports like Juninho and Emerson have struggled amid the hurley burley of our game and the windswept rain-slicked conditions it's played in. So, how is he finding the famously changeable Glasgow climate? Even on this one, his sunny disposition shines through.
"Sometimes you get three seasons in one day," he laughs enthusiastically. "At the end of the day, it’s part of the job and sometimes I really love the weather. If it’s sunny then you’re happy and if it rains then you need to be happy too and think about the sun! Scotland is nice and playing for Rangers is the most special thing."
And this is some compliment, after all, having played in the Netherlands for top clubs Ajax and Feyenoord, Danilo is used to big stadiums and passionate fans. For him, Rangers' home is truly something special.
He said: "This stadium has something special. I’ve felt this from day one and the fans bring me so much joy and love. It’s always a pleasure to play for the club that you love and you want to do as well as possible."
