New injury blow for van Bronckhorst

Filip Helander is to see another specialist as he starts the final year of his Ibrox contract in the treatment room. 

The defender has managed just 35 SPFL appearances in his three seasons in Scotland and looks on course to repeat that average in the season ahead. 

With Leon Balogun replaced by John Sicknote Souttar during the summer Giovanni van Bronckhorst has very limited options in central defence with a fortnight to go before the SPFL season gets underway. 

Breaking the news, The Sun reports: 

FILIP HELANDER is set to see a specialist after yet another injury setback for the Rangers defender. 

The Swedish stopper’s Ibrox career has been blighted by injury woe and for now at least, there doesn’t appear to be much let up. 

Nicky Katic started alongside Connor Goldson in the friendly against Sunderland that was abandoned before half-time. 

The only viable alternative is Calvin Bassey but if the Real Madrid target plays in central defence that leaves Borna Barisic to play at left-back. 

With no sign of anyone following Joe Aribo out the door it looks like van Bronckhorst will have to start the season with the squad that he currently has. Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack missed the Sunderland defeat through injury.