Rangers defender Filip Helander starred for Sweden on Monday evening, as they rounded off their Euro 2020 Qualifying campaign with a win over the Faroe Islands.
The 26-year-old centre-back is into double figures in terms of senior international caps but has been out of favour of late, sitting out five competitive fixtures in a row having last turned out in a 3-0 defeat to Spain back in June.
With Sweden’s qualification for Euro 2020 already secured heading into the final matchday, though, the first-choice centre-back partnership of Victor Lindelof and Andreas Granqvist was broken up, and Helander deployed alongside Pontus Jannson at home to the Faroe Islands.
He repaid the faith of manager Janne Andersson, too, by playing the full game and helping to record a clean sheet, as well as registering an assist.
The Swedes ran out 3-0 winners, courtesy of goals from Sebastian Andersson, Mattias Svanbarg and John Guidetti, with Helander setting up the second.
The victory took the Scandinavian nation to a final points tally of 21, leaving them five behind group winners Spain, and four clear of rivals Norway in third.
Helander has recently gained cult hero status at Ibrox following a decisive goal against Motherwell at Ibrox and a League Cup semi-final strike against Hearts.
Following the international break, it’s highly likely he’ll continue as half of the first-choice centre-back partnership, alongside Connor Goldson.
Recently, on our new YouTube Channel, we discussed his newfound fan favourite status.
