Helander left out of Rangers squad for Europa League play-off

the aid of a deflection, he declared himself ready to play a full part in the more taxing challenges which lie ahead. Explaining why it had taken so long for Rangers fans to see him in action, Helander said: ‘I’ve been training hard. Obviously we’ve been on a good roll of results, so I’ve had to wait for my opportunity to come into the team. ‘They’ve been playing well and scoring important goals, so it’s always hard for the manager to change it.’ The Swede will play no part when Rangers get down to business again in Poland on Thursday, though, or when the tie is decided in Glasgow seven days later. Docherty, who also played at the weekend and who has featured in the three previous Europa qualifying rounds, is another eye-catching omission. Gerrard previously left Daniel Candeias out of the squad to face St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in the first round — a move which proved to be the catalyst for the Portuguese winger signing for Turkish club Genclerbirligi. Explaining his decision at the time, the Rangers manager said: ‘It’s a numbers thing. ‘As the weeks go by, I’ll have to make big calls and leave out big players, who are good players, but we hope it’s going to be a 60-game season. ‘I’m not going to make a big thing of it. It’s just the way it is. We have big squads and big players, and competition for places.’

FILIP HELANDER has been axed from Rangers’ Europa League squad — just 24 hours after scoring on his debut for Steven Gerrard’s side. The former Bologna defender, at £3million the most expensive of the Ibrox club’s ten summer signings, has been told he will play no part in either leg against Legia Warsaw as Rangers seek to make the group stage of the competition for the second successive season. Greg Docherty, who was also in the squad which defeated Midtjylland in the last round, has also dropped out — with new signings Brandon Barker and Andy King drafted in. Helander, the 26-year-old Sweden international, had to wait until Sunday to make his first appearance for the club in the Betfred Cup clash at East Fife. Speaking after scoring the second goal of the day with