Of all the contracts that are set to expire at the end of this season, Filip Helander’s has to be the one that is least likely to be extended – not so, according to Michael Beale.
Having worked with the big Swede when he was fit, the Gers gaffer knows exactly what he can bring to the table and, as reported by The Scotsman, Beale has backed the towering centre-half to come good:
“If the Fil Helander I know can get himself back then he’s a big asset to Rangers.
“He’s had two horrible years of injuries. I’ve not been in the building when he’s had them but, at 29, I don’t think Fil Helander is done. I think he has probably got to prove a couple of things to himself more than anything else.
“Hopefully that will happen towards the real back end of the season.
“In terms of his contract, at this moment in time there have been no discussions purely because of the length of time he’s been out.”
The problem is, and we all know this, since Helander injured his foot in the league cup final in 2019, he has hardly played. In our title winning campaign of 2020/21 he was rotated with Leon Balogun but still spent large periods unavailable and ended the season on crutches.
Since then, Leon King has played more games.
And therein lies part of the problem, we have had to recruit other players because of Helander’s problems. John Souttar is, finally, fully fit, King can be trusted to deputise and Ben Davies looks as though he is going to form a solid partnership with Connor Goldson – even if the 29-year old was to prove his fitness, he just isn’t worth the gamble.
Beale is doing the right thing by backing his player but with a projected return of April, there simply isn’t long enough for him to prove that he is over the issue that has seen two managers have one of their best players unavailable for almost two whole years.
I love big Fil but it’s time to bid him a fond farewell.