Rangers defender Filip Helander has thanked the Ibrox side for wishing him a happy birthday and sharing a clip of his winning goal in an Old Firm clash against Celtic.
The Swedish defender, 30, has missed the entire season through injury but that didn’t stop the Ibrox club’s social team recognising the player’s contribution with the clip from last season.
The moment, in a 1-0 win in the first Old Firm game of last season, was perhaps at the pinnacle of Filip Helander’s Rangers’ career with the big defender dominating to win a header from a corner.
It won Rangers all three points and is perhaps the crowning moment in the Swedish international’s Ibrox stint which has been besieged by injury.
Filip Helander thanks Rangers for birthday message
Taking to social media in response, as the player’s Ibrox future hangs in the balance, the defender thanked the social media team for taking the time to wish him a happy birthday.
It’s the first time we’ve heard from Filip Helander in a while and the simple “thank you” message certainly gave nothing away regarding his Rangers future.
Rangers signed the former Malmo centre-back from Serie A side Bologna on a £3m deal in 2019 and whilst Big Fil has proven a talented player at times, injuries have decimated his time at the club.
A high-earner whose absence has been sorely felt, Filip Helander hasn’t been seen consistently for Rangers since September 2021, when he underwent knee surgery.
Despite a brief spate of appearances towards the end of last season, the Swedish defender hasn’t recovered and we’d be amazed if he isn’t released at the end of his contract.
There’s even been talk of a return to Malmo for Helander.
The fee attached to the defender is not insignificant and Rangers’ recruitment will once again come under the microscope given the player’s ineffectual contribution over the last few seasons.
But under it all Filip Helander is still a human being and it’s clear he appreciated the small nod of recognition from Rangers as he celebrated turning the big 3-0.
