Danilo 'not 100%' fit after six-month lay-off

Rangers striker Danilo admits he is still not back to 100 per cent fitness after the serious knee injury he picked up in December but insists the "hard work" has been "paying off".

The 25-year-old Brazilian is relishing a full pre-season under manager Philippe Clement as "it was just like being a kid when you start to play football".

Danilo also suffered a facial injury soon after his £5m transfer from Feyenoord.

"The past few months have been really costly for me, but now being back with the team, all the hard work in the gym and outside, it has been paying off," he told Rangers TV. "I am still going. It is amazing just to be with the boys.

"The rehab has been crazy. It was hard. I think those moments make me even stronger."

Danilo praised his team-mates for helping him on the road to recovery.

"There was every moment like I remember my first running, my first contact with the ball again," he added. "It was in my happy place to be back on the field.

"I still have a lot to work on and still not 100 per cent there yet, but I am working hard to be ready and back on the field.

"Right now, the most important thing is to take care of my knee and make sure I am 100 per cent ready for the games. It is good to build the confidence in the friendly games."