Old Firm Rangers hero admits things could’ve been different amid Premier League links

Old Firm Rangers hero Filip Helander has explained how things could have been oh so different for him this summer amid reported interest from Premier League sides Aston Villa and Leicester City.

The Swedish international was the hero of the day as he etched himself into Ibrox folklore with a headed winner in the 1-0 defeat of age-old rivals Celtic in Govan over the weekend.

⚽️ GOAL OF THE DAY: Filip Helander v Celtic pic.twitter.com/E3uctWJ7ZZ

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) August 30, 2021

But speaking to the press the defender revealed that there was indeed interest from some quarters even if it was not acted on this summer.

Whilst Helander, 28, did not specifically mention any sides himself the player was linked to Dean Smith and Brendan Rodgers’ sides by Aftonbladet in the player’s homeland.

However, according to Fotboll Skanalen, the Premier League pair formed part of the questioning as Helander faced the Swedish media whilst on international duty in his homeland.

“I know there was interest, but it was not much more than that. Nothing became concrete. But I feel good and have no stress that it didn’t happen,” said Helander.

“I haven’t always been in the team due to the number of games we have had and the injury I had. It’s been a bit of both. I’ve still been feeling the injury and we have had a lot of matches.

“But of course, you always want to play as many games as possible.”

The defender also opened up on that now legendary goal at Ibrox as he admitted it’s been a while since he sang ABBA – and he may have been inebriated when he done so.

This is because Rangers fans have adopted the song Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, in honour of the centre-back.

Old Firm Rangers hero Filip Helander is happy at Ibrox. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It was a lot of fun and cool to score the winning goal in such a big match. I rank it very high, it was perhaps my most important goal in my career,” said Helander [Sportbladet].

“So it was a great game to play in and I have never experienced such an atmosphere around a stadium like then. I could not hear properly during the game.

“I heard the fans singing my song, but it’s been quite a while since I sang any Abba songs myself and I may not have been completely sober when I did it!”

Whilst Helander will be remaining at Ibrox, one Gers defender could eventually find himself out of Rangers permanently due to a contract clause reported in the press.