Rangers star Connor Goldson has backed fellow centre-back, Filip Helander, following the Swede’s costly errors in Thursday night’s 3-3 draw with Benfica, as quoted by the Herald.
When fit, Helander has been impressive since his arrival from Bologna in the summer of 2019.
Yet, he looked a little out of sorts in the win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Sunday before enduring a nightmare outing in Lisbon.
His error in possession inside the first minute led to an unfortunate Goldson own goal and he was at fault again when Rafa Silva scored the hosts’ second in the 77th minute.
In injury time, Darwin Nuñez escaped both centre-backs to race clear and secure the Portuguese giants an unlikely point.
Goldson knows it wasn’t his teammate’s best performance, but has backed Helander to move on quickly.
“I think he will put it straight behind him because you never see Fil too high or too low after a game of football,” he said, as quoted by the Herald. “Even after Old Firms or big European nights where we have kept clean sheets, I have never seen him bouncing off walls after the game.”
“He is just not that kind of player. He has played so many games and is usually so steady and so reliable. Listen, we all make mistakes and, as a centre-half, when you make one you usually get punished, especially against better teams.
“I think he is a really good place just now and he is playing well. He knows what Rangers is all about now, he knows the club and how we play and he is settled. He gets on with the boys, he is a good lad and we are happy to have him here.”
Goldson rallies around Rangers teammate Filip Helander after Benfica woes – Verdict
Helander has been excellent in European competition since signing for the Gers, impressing against strong opposition last season.
He was out of sorts at the Estádio da Luz, though, and received plenty of criticism from supporters.
It remains to be seen whether or not he’ll be taken out of the side for Sunday’s Premiership fixture against Hamilton, with Leon Balogun waiting in the wings.
Either way, though, it’s no surprise to see Goldson backing his teammate up.
Rangers had only conceded three times this season with Helander on the pitch prior to the Benfica clash and it’ll take more than one bad performance for his teammates and the coaching staff to lose faith.
