With just Ianis Hagi and Nnamdi Ofoborh on the absent list (both long term) for Rangers, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is furnished, for pretty much the first time as boss, with all his players at his disposal.

The only question mark in the squad is Leon Balogun, who was scanned midweek and the news better than feared, but we’re not sure how long he is expected to be out regardless of that news.

Aside him, it’s all systems go, with every other injury now cleared up and all players ready for the critical spring period which effectively decides the title’s destination.

The big deal, however, is the return of Filip Helander. From what we understand, he came through yesterday’s trip to Annan unscathed.

He was, of course, some way off full fitness hence being replaced by Leon King on 61 minutes, but he looked confident, assured, and comfortable, even bagging himself a goal for good measure.

The crucial truth is Filip Helander, after a ridiculous five months out, is again at our disposal, and it finally gives Giovanni some quality depth in defence.

Not long ago, he had just Connor Goldson as his only proper fully-fledged CB. Calvin Bassey is a utility option, Balogun was injured and Helander was a few weeks off being available. Jack Simpson is barely worth mentioning.

But now?

Goldson and either Balogun or Helander or either way any two of those options is by some distance, at present, Rangers’ best duo in defence.

Many regard, indeed, Goldson and Helander as our best pairing, but regardless, Helander is back, and it makes such a difference.

True, he won’t be travelling to Dortmund, with management feeling he’s not quite ready for that level of opposition, hence his being omitted from the UEL squad.

But domestically, Helander now has matches to build himself up again, and it is unlikely to be too long before Big Fil is back in the heart of defence regularly.

Welcome back, you have been sorely missed.