Sources: Big-earning Filip Helander not expected to play for Rangers again
Rangers defender Filip Helander is not expected to play for the club again, sources have told Football Insider.
The centre-back, 29, has missed the whole of the season through injury and is out of contract in the summer.
Michael Beale has recently ruled Helander out for another three months in the latest pessimistic update.
Now, sources have said that neither Rangers or the player's camp are confident he will play for the first team again.
That is a blow for both parties as Helander who is one of the club's biggest earners, has looked a top-class performer when fully fit.
Indeed, at one stage Aston Villa were keeping close tabs on a player that former manager Steven Gerrard rated highly.
As quoted by The Herald (26 January), Beale insisted that if the Sweden international can get back to fitness he will be a "big asset" to the club.
But, with his contract expiring in the summer and nearly 12 months on the sidelines, it is unlikely he will be playing for Beale's side next season.
The defender joined Rangers in 2019 from Italian side Bologna for £4million.
Helander has made 60 appearances during his three-and-a-half years with the club and has scored seven goals in those outings.
The Swede began his career at Malmo before making a move to Italy where he spent several years with Hellas Verona before joining Bologna and moving on to Rangers in 2019.