Rangers defender Filip Helander has been called up to the Sweden international squad as he steps up his return from a lengthy knee-injury lay-off.
The 29-year-old centre-back has missed a large chunk of the season due to undergoing surgery on the injury which came at a time of solid form for the Light Blues.
It wasn’t even for just Rangers that Filip Helander was impressing too, the defender stealing the show in a World Cup Qualifying win over Spain in September last year.
Filip Helander has 18 caps for the Sweden national team and has done enough since returning from injury to convince Janne Andersson to call him back up to the team for a World Cup Playoff against the Czech Republic.
Filip Helander to meet Celtic rival on Sweden duty
Joining Big Fil in the Sweden squad will be fellow defender and Celtic centre-back Carl Starfelt, the two competing against each other for a spot in the starting XI.
Celtic splashed out £4m to sign Starfelt in the summer from Rubin Kazan [Herald] but he does not have the experience of his Rangers counterpart at this level, earning only four caps.
Sweden defender Filip Helander isn’t the only Rangers star set to take part in the international break either as a host of Ibrox first-teamers are called up for their country.
Rangers star Ryan Jack is recalled to the Scotland squad as he seeks redemption for heartbreak at this summers Euros.
Rangers loanee Aaron Ramsey has also been called up for Wales alongside Real Madrid star Gareth Bale as he looks to make history and help the nation to a first World Cup since 1958.
There is also some confusion surrounding the situation of Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis after comments from Ian Baraclough about the player’s status at Rangers.
