THE EXILE FACTOR

Gers hitman Danilo so happy to be back in fold after 2 months in limbo that's felt like 3 years

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

IT was an unmistakable look of relief that flashed across Youssef Chermiti's face as the Rangers striker finally smashed his 903-day goal drought.

At two months, teammate Danilo's wait for a big chance of his own didn't quite drag as long.

But the Brazilian was left experiencing the very same warm emotions as his new £8million teammate after finally clambering his way back in from the cold at Ibrox.

The 26-year-old started the season as Russell Martin's first pick frontman. But he's barely kicked a ball since being bombed out by the former boss' starting 11 in the wake of the humiliating Champions League hammering in Brugge at the end of August.

That was until the arrival of Danny Rohl offered the former Feyenoord forward a fresh start - one he made the most of on Sunday as he headed Rangers back in front during their 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.

His eight weeks in the Ibrox wilderness might not have measured up to Chermiti's two-and-a-half years without a senior goal but for Danilo, it may as well have been an eternity.

He said: "I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.

"Nobody sees the hard work you do behind the scenes so yeah, 100 percent, a goal always lifts you up.

"I was counting in the days when I was not in the squad, so I just put in the hard work and looked to keep my mentality strong for whenever the opportunity would happen.

"That meant I would be ready, and then it showed on Sunday that my head is clear.