Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has revealed that new signing Filip Helander is about three weeks behind in pre-season training.
As a result, the Gers gaffer also claimed Helander won’t be involved in any competitive action until he gets up to speed.
But Rangers fans will be able to catch the big stopper in the club’s upcoming pre-season friendlies with Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.
“He’s [Helander] been pushed very strongly so I’m sure he’s got very heavy, tried legs at the moment,” Gerrard said at the St. Joseph’s pre-match press conference.
“I think Filip’s on day three or day four of pre-season so he’s three, three-and-a-half weeks behind the group.
“So I’ll take my time in terms of integrating him into the serious games but you will see Filip in the coming friendlies.
“We’ll try get some games and minutes into his legs, but I don’t expect to see him in serious games for a good few weeks yet.”
Swedish international Helander joined Rangers in a £3m deal [Rangers.co.uk] with Steven Gerrard describing him as an “excellent player”.
Only 26, the 6ft4 stopper is coming into his prime and there’s a lot of excitement over his move to Ibrox.
None more so than former Rangers and Sweden midfielder Robert Prydz, who compared Helander to Liverpool hero Virgil van Dijk [Scottish Sun].
But there’s been some controversy surrounding the move after pundit Gerry Collins claimed that Celtic walked away from a move for Helander off the back of defender Mikael Lustig’s recommendations.
The dubious claims remain the only report that suggests this is the case.
