Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has admitted he is desperate to get Filip Helander playing again as crucial games lurk on the horizon.
The Gers’ recent slump continued last weekend as they played out to a 2-2 draw against St Johnstone.
Rangers are now 12 points adrift of reigning champions Celtic having also played a game more.
Nikola Katic had an afternoon to forget at the weekend and Gerrard has admitted that the Gers are missing Helander’s presence at the heart of their rearguard.
“I’m going to have to find solutions,” the Rangers maestro told The Scottish Sun.
“I’m going to have to work even harder than we do to find solutions and get back to the basics of defending.
“I need Helander back fit, sharpish. I need to find solutions because we’re conceding too many goals.”
Rangers’ chances of winning the Scottish Premiership are now very slim and it would be the biggest upset in the league’s history if the Ibrox outfit manage to do so from this position.
It is particularly frustrating considering that the Gers were clearly looking like title candidates during the majority of the first half of the season.
Helander’s absence has coincided with Gerrard’s team’s slump in form.
The 26-year-old has not turned out for his side since their 1-0 loss to Celtic during the final of the Scottish Cup in December due to a foot injury.
Rangers will probably not be winning the league this season but they are still very much alive in the Europa League.
The Gers defeated Braga 3-2 during their last 32 first leg clash at Ibrox last week.
Rangers can ease some of their frustrations this season if they manage to embark on a deep run in Europe’s second-tier club competition, especially considering that Scottish teams have struggled in Europe during recent seasons.
Helander – a future Gers captain?
While Katic and Connor Goldson have played at centre-half in recent weeks and months, Helander’s calibre is a step above.
The 26-year-old has played in Serie A and is a Sweden international.
Rangers signed the Scandinavian to be their defensive leader but the new man has only managed eight league outings this season.
Helander’s return to fitness could well be as good as a new signing and help the Gers to get back on track.
