Filip Helander pinpoints Rangers injury misstep that meant recovery took 'longer than it needed to' amid career fear

Defender Filip Helander admits his decision to not have surgery on a nightmare injury during his time at Rangers left him concerned he would never play again.

The towering Swede had impressed for the Light Blues consistency under Steven Gerrard but was then sidelined for over a year with a foot injury and watched for the stands during the tenures of Gio van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale. His Ibrox contract came to an end this summer.

Helander failed to make a single appearance in the Scottish Premiership last term with his last appearance in light blue coming in the previous campaign during the 4-0 win over St Mirren where he limped off in the first half in Paisley. After becoming a free agent at the end of last season the defender is looking to kickstart his career at OB Odense in Denmark - but has yet to make a competitive appearance for his new club.

He is now in line for his first runout for his new side after being named in the squad to face Sikeborg. But in a brutally honest interview with Expressen he put the blame on himself for the time he has spent out of the game.

Helander said: "It should have gone faster. It took longer than it needed to because we didn't really know how to treat it. Instead of having surgery right away, I rehabbed it without surgery.

"I lost almost six months on that. It was tough that it took so long. At the same time, you never know if you will even come back at all, so I am very happy that I can play football today. I am fully healthy to play the match, but as always it is a competitive situation. You don't get a place automatically. The best play."