Rangers fans have blasted centre-back Filip Helander for his first-half performance against Dundee United at Ibrox on Sunday.
Before Ianis Hagi and Ryan Kent put the Premiership leaders 2-0 up, Steven Gerrard’s men struggled to perform, with the away side forcing Gers goalkeeper Allan McGregor into action numerous times.
We offered little in the attack prior to the goals, the midfield seemed to be devoid of creativity and lacked the ability to stop Dundee United’s forward players while the defence leaked chance after chance.
One player who was slammed on Twitter for his first-half performance was Helander, who failed to impress in the heart of Gerrard’s defence.
Gerrard had been forced into changing up his regular defensive unit with James Tavernier’s injury leading to Leon Balogun playing at right-back.
Helander struggled in the 4-3 win over Royal Antwerp on Thursday so you would have imagined that Balogun would have started alongside Conor Goldson at centre-back versus the Tangerines if he wasn’t needed at right-back.
The Sweden international impressed earlier in the season but his performances in the last few months have waned and his inability to deal with Dundee United’s attackers was a concern with one fan claiming he was having an “absolute nightmare” in the opening 45 minutes at Ibrox.
Here is a selection of their tweets:
Helander is having an absolute nightmare. 3 times he's been caught in no man's land diving in and 3 times they should've scored. Need to get the finger out
— G 😎 (@Bluenose139) February 21, 2021
If Jack & Davis can’t get in the ball then we can’t play! Helander looks lost
— David (@bigsimba1978) February 21, 2021
Why Helander gets to play il never know, boy canny play football😐
— N i c o l e e . (@nicolexkerr) February 21, 2021
Helander half way up the pitch tackle someone when the midfield are already comfortable to make the tackle. terrible positioning
— george spiers (@georgespiers86) February 21, 2021
Helander is having a shocker here. All over the place.
— Iain (@CemetryGates89) February 21, 2021
Wake up Helander
— AGRFC (@AGRFC55) February 21, 2021
Twice Helander has sold himself
— allan (@allanbaird_) February 21, 2021
Goals by Hagi and Kent should be a massive blow for Dundee United, who would have no doubt grown in confidence as the match went on.
McGregor’s early saves did us a massive favour in that first half but Helander really needs to improve.
In other Rangers news, this Ibrox-linked striker missed out for his current club on Saturday amid reports he’s closing in on a move to Scotland.
