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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Filip Helander opens up on Rangers exit & injury issues

Filip Helander endured a torrid time with injuries at Rangers.

The Swede emerged as an essential player under Steven Gerrard four years ago when he joined.

However, the past 14 months in particular for the 30-year-old have been up there with the hardest in his career.

He has not kicked a ball in a first-team game since a comfortable victory for Rangers against St Mirren in Paisley in April 2022.

There were a few times when it seemed that the defender would be able to step up his recovery over the past year, however, he then suffered setback after setback during his rehabilitation.

Ultimately, this led to his release from the club this summer, as he continues to get over his 'unique problem' and seek a new challenge in his career.

Speaking on life post-Rangers, Helander told Fotbollskanalen: "I was out running anyway and it felt good in the foot. I'm happy about it after being away for so long.

"It has been complicated and things may have gone wrong in the rehab, for various reasons. There are of course things you cannot know. It hasn't gone the way we wanted at first.

"I haven't been able to play much football. It's clear, it takes a toll on you mentally. You go and wait and hope, then things don't go as you want and so on. Of course it has been [difficult]. But that's football. At the same time, I have had a good time otherwise in life, but of course I would have liked football to be different."

Asked whether a new deal was a possibility at Ibrox, he added: "Because it turned out the way it did - the idea was that I would come to training already in March - but then when it didn't happen, it wasn't really relevant from their side [Rangers], which you have to buy. Having been injured as long as I have, I understand their situation. They didn't really know how it would go for me."

He commented on a potential future with Malmo: "Yes, but it's clear. I'm from here, my family is from here and Malmo has developed incredibly as a club. Only by being here have I been able to see it.

"They seem to have a good harmony in the team, so I could definitely imagine that. Then I don't know what my options are either.

"Of course, if there is interest from both sides, it is something I will think about."

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