Originally published at: https://www.rangersnews.uk/columnist/rangers-helander-barisic-improved/
Rangers defender Filip Helander came in for some criticism after for his performance in the 1-0 win over Livingston in midweek – but the Swedish international appears to be helping the Gers get the best out of Borna Barisic. Helander made his fifth start for Steven Gerrard’s side in the win over Livi following his…
Wow , youve got a real brass neck to write this article after Wednesday night when Helander had the worst performance of any Rangers centre half since Senderos left . I dont know about helping Barisic ,but he is certainly making sure Borna is kept busy down that side and it was great to see the big Croat covering inside to win headers something he doesn`t normally do.
I am not writing Helander off but Katic must return on Saturday.
Totally agree with this…are you sure it was not Barasic trying to help Helander, in the last game he was on his arse more than a guy with no legs. Barasic has improved for one reason only and that is a run of games, give the guy some respect the way his Croatian fans and team mates do and give him credit for his own performance. Helander would have struggled even more if it was not for Barasic helping him out… Dude you are once again trying to be controversial it ain’t working pal.
Helander struggled with the pace and power of the boy Dykes. Seemed unsettled big time. I do think Wednesday will have opened his eyes to the type of football being played here. Given his experience and what others who have seen him previously in his career have said, I would expect this to help him come on. Team looked balanced on left side of defence against Feyenoord apart from first 10 mins. One game didn’t make him a star, same as one game doesn’t make him a dud. Barisic defo performing better but he deserves the credit. Think we all just need to take a wee step back and relax. Still question marks over both but get behind them, winning breeds confidence and we are winning, even though performances are inconsistent to say the least.
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“ One game didn’t make him a star, same as one game doesn’t make him a dud.” 
This may be true but fans are not stupid they also know his history
His history made him a £3million rated defender
It was Rangers who gave him that price tag nobody else. We paid over 3million and at the time his market value was 1.8 million fact. Stats are here.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/filip-helander/profil/spieler/198067.
Highest ever market value for him was 2,8 million. Only reason he may be rated 3million now is because Rangers spent over that amount on him. Also the last 3 yearly figures for his league appearances are dreadful. 11, 29 and 23 and same period for internationals is 3,3 and 4. I don’t know any team that would pay that for a guy who only contributes at best a half a season, not one European game played in same time frame, last one was 2015. So in my opinion vastly overated and we paid far too much. If he comes good great but at the moment i’m not impressed.
Where’s that positivity that we need in advance of the Aberdeen game gone?
So fine, his history is what’s made him a £1.8m rated player
I am really positive in fact just put 15 quid on a 3 nil victory with Jack scoring at anytime. However as stated in an earlier post all I am doing here is answering the question on the forum, I think we paid far to much for a guy who has not played anymore than 23 games in each of the last three seasons with no Euro games played nearly 4 million paid is nuts. It’s pathetic to think he is influencing Barasic. Barasic was in great form before hooking up with Helander he played great in the international games and has just kept that going and he should be getting the credit not Helander.
Helander is an established Swedish international, who has played extensively in Serie A and played a blinder in the Feyenoord game (arguably our biggest game of the season) and he’s had one bad game - hardly time to be calling him overrated - give him a chance to establish and prove himself.
Agree the suggestion he’s influenced Barisic upturn in performances is silly though
I will give him a chance, as I said above if he comes good great. He only has 10 caps, no recent domestic European experience and his “extensive experience” in Italy is not great, see stats above. My comment on me thinking he is overated is not based on what he does in the future, it is based on what we paid, his market value at the time, lack of games and his limited experience playing against top class European teams. If he gets us into Europe after Christmas, plays against Aberdeen and Celtic and we win and helps us to a trophy then he will be living up to what we paid for him, anything short of that its a waste of cash.