Filip Helander has defended his form as he closes in on a big-money switch to Rangers from Bologna.
The 26-year-old defender played only three times for Sinisa Mihajlovic after the Serb replaced Fillipo Inzaghi in charge at the Serie A club in January.
The Ibrox side are set to splash out to land the Swedish international after he was pinpointed by Steven Gerrard .
Helander was a stalwart at his club under both Roberto Donadoni, who signed him and Inzaghi, but started only two Serie A games under Mihajlovic, who returned to take charge of Bologna for the second time.
Helander's form came in for sharp criticism in the Italian Press.
But the ex-Malmo star, speaking last month, insisted he had a good season and underlined how Mihajlovic's lack of trust in him didn't get him down.
He said: "It's true that I haven't had a lot of games, but in fairness to the coach, the team was doing really well and he didn't want to change a winning team.
"But I admit it's not been much fun for me.
"So the way I have handled it was to train extra and harder. We are a squad and I decided I wanted to help the group by trying to get myself back into the team.
"The best way to do that was to impress in training.
"I maintain I have a good relationship with Mihajlovic. He's a good coach.
"His decision not to play me is to do with football reasons.
"Despite the last few months, I believe I have had a good season. Okay, it wasn't productive for me at the end of the season because I wasn't paying, but the team produced some excellent results and I'm a team player.
"And I think I have become a much better player since I moved to Bologna three years ago."
