Helander shock for Sweden as Rangers man shows up coach
210902 Filip Helander of Sweden during the FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball Qualifier football match between Sweden and Spain on September 2, 2021 in Stockholm. Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRAN / COP 234 / JL0171 fotboll football soccer fotball vm-kval kval fifa world cup qualifier qualifier qualifying round qualification sverige sweden sverige a spanien spain bbeng *** 210902 Filip Helander of Sweden during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier football match between Sweden and Spain on September 2, 2021 in Stockholm Photo Jesper Zerman BILDBYRAN COP 234 JL0171 fotboll football soccer fotball vm kval kval fifa world cup qualifier qualifier qualifying round qualification sverige sweden sverige a spain spain bbeng, PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxSWExNORxAUT Copyright: JESPERxZERMAN BB210902JZ094
Rangers’ Filip Helander earned rave reviews for his stunning defensive show in his country’s world cup qualifier, almost single-handedly fending off Spain to secure a shock win, but the biggest disgrace we at Ibrox Noise can see from this is national manager Janne Andersson having refused to pick the ex-Bologna man during the Euros.
Once again, Helander was excellent for his country, as he had been in all the Euro qualifiers, only to be shockingly dropped by Andersson in favour of unknown Markus Danielson from Dalian Pro in China.
Indeed, it was only once Danielson was sent off that Helander finally made his tournament debut as a sub, but it was too little too late.
Last night, again, Helander showed his class. With a MOTM defensive showing, he helped his country to a stunning 2-1 win over giants Spain, and it only serves as a reminder of not only how good this defender actually is, but the absolute shambles of Andersson ignoring him for the Euros.
Did it cost Sweden progress? Maybe. Danielson is nothing special and somehow he was first pick, having barely featured for his country before the Euros.
Helander surely will not only have a point to prove, but did so last night.
Just what was Andersson doing ignoring him for a complete random from China?
Bewildering. After last night, we’d like to think only injury can possibly stop Helander being selected as first choice for good.
Surely.