PHILIPPE Clement has offered his condolences to Danilo after it was revealed the Rangers striker will not return from a knee injury before the end of the season.The Brazilian, a £5.6m summer signing from Feyenoord, has been ruled out . since the win over Hearts at Tynecastle earlier last month.Clement, who is back in Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence’s squad and expects Ben Davies to return to action next week, admitted the 24-year-old is in some ways away . coming backIt was hoped that Danilo, who suffered knee surgery in the Gorgie League game, would be fit to play after the winter break.But as he prepared for today’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Dumbarton at The Rock, Clement said: “No, it was a really serious injury. It’s a common problem.”We can’t talk about three or four weeks in rehabilitation like that. Goodbye We’re not going to force things in the last game of the season. That’s also stupid. It’s better to see that it’s 2000 per cent sure. Step by step, he is doing his rehab good.“It was, let’s say, an unlucky tackle how he twisted his knee. It’s a pity because we was doing a lot of good things and he was growing. He feels very good at this club and he felt good in football.”I’m always sorry when you see a player get injured. They’re all like my kids, so you don’t want your kids to get hurt. Ryan and Tom will be available but not for 90 minutes. It’s about building a story with them.”Meanwhile, Clement insisted he will pick his strongest side to play Dumbarton when the pitch at The Rock undergoes an inspection at 1pm this afternoon – and hopes his players will be at their best and secure a place in the next round regardless of the conditions underfoot.”Dumbarton have been contacted,” he said. “But we cannot change the situation with the pitch if it is so. frozen or if it is ready. We can’t put a roof over the field to keep the water out.”I saw it on video. At first I thought I’d go over there and look, but now I know if I do something, it’s everywhere , so I didn’t. They have protections.”At the end of the day, the umpires decide if it’s playable or not. I’m not a greenkeeper, I’m not a weather forecaster. So no, I just prepare the team for every scenario.”Clement added: “The pitch is really bad, but it is what it is. I’ve said it before, I don’t want excuses from my players. I’ve said it before, if we have to play in the parking lot to win games, we’ll do it.”The quality I expect from my players? If so, it’s different football. I know there’s more of mistakes and more passes that are not as smooth as usual.”But as a player and a coach, you also have to adapt in your mind. It’s all about winning the game and getting to the next round. This is the most important thing.”.
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