Filip Helander lifts lid on Rangers injury torment that scuppered any chance of new Ibrox deal

Filip Helander has opened up on his injury hell at Rangers and revealed being crocked for so long effectively ruled out any chance of extending his stay at Ibrox.

The big Swede had offered the Light Blues consistency in his first few seasons under Steven Gerrard but was then sidelined for over a year with a foot injury. The 30-year-old had to watch from the stands as Rangers flourished in the Europa League and won the Scottish Cup, before new boss Michael Beale described the defender's problem as a "unique situation."

Helander was ultimately let go alongside the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos, with veterans Allan McGregor and Scott Arfield also bidding farewell. There was light at the end of the dark tunnel for the Swede, however, when former club Malmo revealed their interest in bringing him home. Now the defender is training with his old side as part of recovery, and is not ruling out a return to action when fully fit.

He made just 35 league starts for Rangers after a £3.5 million from Bologna in 2019, and admits his injury hell may have hampered a potential extended Ibrox stay, a factor he won't hold a grudge over.

He 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