Rangers fans have raved about Filip Helander after his successful return to the team in a 5-0 win over Ross County.
Leon Balogun has established himself as Connor Goldson’s regular centre-back partner in recent times, but Helander made the starting XI on Saturday for the first time since the turn of the year.
He didn’t take long to make his mark on the game, scoring Rangers’ second goal in the 28th minute.
The Sweden international lost his marker before powering home a header from a Borna Barisic corner to give his side some breathing space with just his second goal of the season.
It wasn’t a flawless defensive display from Helander. In the second half, with the score at 3-0, he charged out of position to give away a free-kick in a wide channel before losing Alex Iacovitti from the resulting set-piece and was fortunate that the Staggies defender could only find the crossbar with his header.
There were few other negatives from his performance, though, as he contributed to yet another Ibrox clean sheet.
Ahead of the weekend, plenty of supporters had called on Helander to be recalled to the side and after the game, the 27-year-old received plenty of praise for his efforts.
Here’s a selection of reactions from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Glxn72/status/1353022842829479938
Super Helander. pic.twitter.com/yzPadoFJop
— Rangers Argentina 🇦🇷🐻 (@rangers_arg) January 23, 2021
Best Swede to play in Scotland 🇸🇪
— Curtis🇨🇭 (@1872Curt) January 23, 2021
a actual love everything about him
— Ryan 🇬🇧 (@Ryane1872) January 23, 2021
Our Swedish prince.
— John Coats (@jaket1872) January 23, 2021
Better than ABBA
— staunchStaunchstaunch (@staunchdaviderc) January 23, 2021
Brilliant player
— Michelle (@MDangerbouse55) January 23, 2021
👏👏 🇸🇪 👏👏
— Andrew C J Sim (@andycallumjames) January 23, 2021
Thought we looked more solid and assured again with Helander back in the team today the big man is a quality defender
— 🇬🇧Coplandbear🇬🇧™ (@Coplandbear1872) January 23, 2021
He’s superb.
I like big Balogun, but we just always look so comfortable with Helander in the team
— 55_Cartel (@Pena_Cartel) January 23, 2021
Helander could soon face even more competition at Ibrox, though, with Rangers reportedly agreeing a deal for a defender who has ‘everything.’