Michael Beale’s response when quizzed on the immediate future of Filip Helander suggests that he is not about to leave Rangers this month.
In the last week, speculation was fuelled following a link in the Swedish press indicating that former club Malmo were preparing to make an offer to land the 19-cap Sweden international. This led to reports of a potential switch this month, ahead of the expiry of his contract in Glasgow at the end of the current season.
With Helander’s injury track record and substantial wage, it is not likely that Rangers would be looking to thrash out new terms with the former Bologna stopper but Gers boss Beale has left the door open for a return to action soon.
When asked about a possible move for the 2021 Scottish title winner, he responded:
“That’s news to me. He’s a player that I like and a man that I like. He’s one that when you come back into the building and see that he’s on crutches and now the crutches are disappearing you wonder ‘how far away is he?’.”
“There’s no news on that at the minute. But yeah, I’ve not heard that rumour.”
Regret
Fil Helander’s last game for Rangers came back in April against St Mirren in Paisley when his outing was curtailed due to injury. Since then he has suffered further setbacks meaning that both Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale have been largely deprived of his services.
His significant pedigree in Serie A as well as his international experience evidences the defender’s ability but it was in the title winning season that his impact was underlined. He appeared well suited to Scottish football, also providing a great foil for Connor Goldson but Helander has not truly been able to kick on since then.
At just 29, there should be plenty of football left in his career but much will depend on the condition and level of fitness that he can reach, with similarities to Kemar Roofe’s situation. Filip Helander has previously stated his desire to finish his playing days back in Malmo but it doesn’t look on the cards, just yet.