Filip Helander is very much a case of what might’ve been at Rangers.
Probably the most talented technical defender the club has had in recent seasons, the big Swede was a solid and dependable option at centre-half whenever he played for Rangers.
The problem – as has been the case for several high profile and expensive signings at Rangers in recent season – is that he didn’t play enough.
Filip Helander cost Rangers £3m in the summer of 2019 but only managed 60 appearances across four seasons in Glasgow before being released at the end of his contract.
To put that into perspective, it’s 15 games a year.
Now, after being released from Danish club OB Odense, Big Fil has agreed a deal elsewhere and Rangers would do well to heed the lessons learned from the situation when it comes to a current Ibrox defender.
Helander finds new club
Cypriot club Omonoia Nicosia have confirmed the free transfer of Filip Helander this summer.
Whilst it’s unclear how long the length of the contract is at the moment, the 31-year-old defender is expected to join up with his teammates in the coming days.
A statement on the Omonoia Nicosia website reads:
“We would like to inform you that we have reached an agreement in principle with the 31-year-old international Swedish central defender, Filip Helander.
“Filip Helander had Odense Boldklub as his last football station. He previously spent four years at Rangers FC, with whom he won two league titles and one cup and played two seasons in the UEFA Europa League group stage.
“In addition, he played football for four years in the Italian Serie A, playing for Bologna FC 1909 and Hellas Verona.
“His start to his professional career was impressive as he won two league titles with Malmo FF, emerged as Sweden’s top centre-back and played six 90 minutes in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
“He has made 23 appearances with the Swedish National Team, one of which at Euro 2020, while the most important moments of his career include winning the European U21 Championship in 2015.
“Filip Helander is expected in Cyprus in the next few days to complete the transfer and then he will be integrated with our team’s mission in Poland.”
Rangers must learn defender lesson
The news comes as rumours swirl around current Rangers defender Ben Davies.
Like Filip Helander, Rangers splashed out a sizeable fee to bring Davies to Glasgow but his time at the club has been badly interrupted with injury.
Consistent problems have meant that Ben Davies has never really had a run in the team and whilst he has shown flashes of quality, they’ve been few and far between.
One game the centre-back looks like the quality option that Liverpool signed from Preston North End whilst the next, Ibrox looks like the last place the nervous centre-back wants to be.
As things stand, it’s a £4m deal which has not worked.
With so-far unconfirmed rumours regarding interest from Sheffield United, Rangers would do well to learn from the lessons of Filip Helander here.
Ben Davies has 24 months left on his contract and if his current Rangers record is anything to go by, the club are best cashing in, getting him off the wage bill and moving elsewhere.
