As Rangers dumped St Mirren 4-0 in Paisley, a potentially serious injury to defender Filip Helander overshadowed what was a successful day out in the Premiership.
Rangers looked back to their old selves in the victory and gave fans something to shout about after two games of football that could go on to wreck the club’s season.
But whilst the fans were celebrating another Rangers victory, the situation regarding Filip Helander has thrown up serious questions regarding the player’s future at the club.
On his day probably the most technically gifted defender at the club, there’s a reason why Big Fil played three years in Italy before his £3m Ibrox move in 2020.
There’s also a reason why the ex-Malmo star is a regular in the Swedish national team and it’s a testament to the centre-back’s ability.
Injury problems raise doubts regarding Filip Helander Rangers contract
The problem is and always has been one of fitness when it comes to Filip Helander, with a large slice of his Rangers career defined by serious knocks.
The first serious injury came in the 2019 Betfred Cup Final defeat to Celtic, with a foot injury essentially ruling the defender out for the season after it was curtailed due to Covid.
This year, the defender also had to have surgery on his knee after falling awkwardly against St Johnstone earlier in the season and he spent five months on the treatment table.
After finally returning to the team, there are major fears of another serious injury with Filip Helander pictured in a boot and crutches at a Glasgow hospital after Rangers win over the Saints.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst also confirmed the defender had been sent for a scran, with an injury to John Lundstram believed to be less serious.
“Lundstram felt his groin a little bit,” said van Bronckhorst [Sky Sports].
“So we’ll have to assess in the next days how he is, but hopefully he can make it for Thursday.”
Entering the final year of his contract this summer, it’s entering a time when Rangers must ship Filip Helander on or tie him down to a new deal.
Still only 28-years-old, the club face a difficult dilemma with the Swedish international but the centre-back’s persistent injury problems may well make up the club’s mind for them.
Meanwhile, Rangers have been boosted by the return of a key player to the Ibrox first-team.