Rangers early team news v Braga: Filip Helander out for season but three available
Filip Helander is out of the rest of the seasons as Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed his injury is “not good”.
The Swede was withdrawn against St Mirren on Sunday (10 April), as was midfielder John Lundstram but the English midfielder is back in training and should be available for the Europa League tie with Braga.
Van Bronckhorst’s men need to overturn a 1-0 deficit at Ibrox tomororw (14 April) to continue their European run so all availability is crucial.
Rangers posted on their official Twitter page the news from the manager’s press conference ahead of the quarter-final return leg, saying: “GVB: Lundstram is training today so hopefully available for tomorrow.
“Filip (Helander) injury is not good, we won’t have him for the remainder of the season.
“Both Bassey and Jack are available.”
Cruel
Of the four players the Dutchman mentioned ahead of the Braga game, and the cup clash with Celtic at the weekend, the three that are available are the more crucial ones.
It is a major blow all the same to lose Helander who has had a wretched year with injury.
He missed a large chunk of the season after undergoing knee surgery, and will now also sit out the run-in.
He hasn’t been at his best in the sporadic appearances he has made in recent weeks and now won’t get a chance to rectify that.
It is a relief for Gers fans that at least Lundstram, who has become a favourite of the manager, is not set to face a similar lay off.
Jack and Bassey will also be key to any success the team can achieve in this quickly unravelling season, having both been omitted from the squad entire for the 4-0 win in Paisley.
With Alfredo Morelos already ruled out for the season, the Bears could do without any further losses as they fight to get something in the final few games.
In other Rangers news, an ex-Ibrox hero has warned the manager he is in a “key period” and risks a “major, major set back” for the club.