As a Rangers defence which has only shipped four domestic goals all season shipped two in one match against St. Mirren, Ibrox defender Filip Helander proved to be a sore miss.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard claimed that had the Ibrox club managed to take the game to extra time after forcing an equaliser against the Buddies, the Swede would’ve returned to action.
But as St. Mirren themselves forced an injury time winner against an-out-sorts Rangers side, Helander never got the chance to return to action in Paisley.
The Ibrox defender has been out of action ever since registering a positive Covid-19 test at the end of November.
It’s not clear how big an impact the virus had on the big Swede but he wasn’t deemed suitable enough to start the match against St. Mirren.
The normally reliable Leon Balogun took his place but after getting an uncommon run of fixtures things didn’t look quite as comfortable at the back for the Gers.
Balogun would later go off after suffering a head knock but the 32-year-old centre-half but this was a shaky Rangers performance with the normal assured control at the back.
Balogun might be a good deputy if used sparingly – his career defined by injuries to date – but Helander is probably the best technical defender we have at the club.
Connor Goldson has been a rock and a powerhouse for the Gers, his commanding presence both on and off the ball a pivotal part of how we play football.
But £3m man Helander is best served to supplement it, Helander’s no-nonsense style and defensive awareness the perfect folly to Goldson’s proactive style.
It’s hard to say whether or not Helander starting would’ve made a difference in the League Cup defeat to St. Mirren, but his return will be a timely one with Rangers looking to recapture the defensive solidity which has defined their season so far.
With Helander on the verge of a return, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard gave a hopeful injury update regarding Leon Balogun after he was forced off in the defeat to St. Mirren.
