The decision to omit Rangers defender Filip Helander from the Europa League squad ahead of the knockout stages looks set to render him unavailable to face Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
The 26-year-old centre-back made his return to full training on Friday afternoon, having missed over three months of action with a foot injury.
Amid a wretched run of domestic results in which there have been mistakes from each of Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic and George Edmundson, the Swede’s comeback was welcomed by many fans.
However, an irreversible decision made back at the beginning of February ensures that even when he’s up to speed again, Helander won’t be able to feature in the Europa League.
The Gers had a chance to make three changes to their roster from the group stages prior to the Round of 32.
Gerrard took up the opportunity and added Matt Polster, Florian Kamberi and Ianis Hagi in place of Helander, Jon Flanagan and Andy King, whose loan deal had been terminated the month previous [UEFA.com].
Perhaps partially due to an injury of his own, Polster then wasn’t even included in the matchday 18 for either leg against Braga.
Drafting him into the squad brought no tangible benefit but with no further changes allowed [UEFA.com], his presence ensures that Helander will be unavailable for the remainder of the competition.
It’s tough to legislate for injuries, but the player swap now looks a puzzling one. By prioritising having extra cover at full-back beyond Andy Halliday, Gerrard ensured that if his team defeated Braga, he’d be unable to call upon a key group stage performer in the last 16.
Helander’s displays at Ibrox were central to clean sheets against Feyenoord and Porto, while he also starred in the 1-1 draw at the Dragao.
The Sweden international almost certainly wouldn’t have been available for the first leg against Bayer at Ibrox, but likely would have been ready to start in Germany in two weeks time.
Instead, Connor Goldson is favourite to continue alongside George Edmundson or Nikola Katic, in the hope that the available defenders can leave behind domestic woes and repeat the heroics of the Round of 32.
