Massive blow - Pundit reacts to shattering Rangers setback pre-Liege: Ibrox Exclusive
Rangers defender Filip Helander has been a "big part" of the club's success this season and will be missed while he self-isolates.
That is according to former Celtic and St Mirren striker Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs about the "tremendous" 27-year-old ahead of tonight's game against Standard Liege.
The centre-half missed the trip to Falkirk on Sunday after he tested positive for coronavirus - he will also miss tonight's Europa League clash with Standard Liege and Sunday's trip ro Ross County.
Injuries to Nikola Katic and Leon Balogun have resulted in Helander playing a bigger role than was perhaps expected at Ibrox this season.
The Sweden international has made 13 appearances in all competitions alongside the ever-present Connor Goldson.
When asked by Football Insider if Helander would be dearly missed by Steven Gerrard's side, McAvennie said:
"He will be a miss for them because he has been tremendous this season.
"That whole team looks as if they have been worked on, back to front. They have put the hours in on the training ground and it shows, especially in the defence.
"Helander has been a stalwart and a big part of that success but when someone comes into the side they seem to slot in perfectly.
"The system stays the same, even if someone is injured. They work their socks off in training. Rangers keep it simple. It is so noticeable that they are a team.
"Steven Gerrard and Gary McAllister have done very well."