Rangers defender Filip Helander said he received ‘interest’ from Premier League duo Aston Villa and Leicester City during the summer transfer window, while speaking to Fotbollskanalen.
As Ibrox exploded on Sunday afternoon, a capacity crowd of nearly 50,000 jumping for joy when Helander’s bullet header soared past Joe Hart and into the back of Celtic’s net, the Sweden international probably came to the conclusion that, yes, staying for one more year in the blue half of Glasgow was the right decision after all.
Helander’s winner ensured the points – and the bragging rights – stayed at Ibrox.
The reigning Premiership champions are now three points clear of their Old Firm rivals too, with a second successive league title in their sights.
While many an Old Firm favourite has jumped at the chance to move south of the border in recent years, Helander has no regrets about staying at the club who have made huge strides since his £4 million arrival from Bologna back in 2019.
After all, while Premier League teams are capable of offering the sort of exposure and money that even the biggest teams in Scotland cannot match, you simply cannot buy the admiration of a fanbase like Rangers’.
Will Filip Helander win another Premiership title at Rangers?
“I know there was interest,” said the 28-year-old when asked about links with Aston Villa and Leicester.
“But it was not much more than that. Nothing became concrete. I feel good (at Rangers) and feel no stress.”
With two years left on his contract, a centre-half who will turn 29 before the season is out is likely to face more questions about his future over the next 12 months or so.
It remains to be seen whether Aston Villa or Leicester will come calling again, however.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes snapped up Jannik Vestergaard from top-flight rivals Southampton instead although the ageing, increasingly injury-prone Jonny Evans cannot stick around forever.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, re-signed Axel Tuanzebe on loan from Manchester United a few weeks ago. A short-term solution to their defensive deficiencies but a solution nonetheless.
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