IT’S INJURY HEL FOR GERRARD

RANGERS are facing a potential defensive crisis ahead of their Europa League clash against Lyon on Thursday night.

Old Firm goal hero Filip Helander was stretchered off with a knee injury during their win in Perth yesterday.

Vice-captain Connor Goldson missed the McDiarmid Park victory because he’s self-isolating while back-up centre-half Jack Simpson hasn’t been included in Gers’ Europa League squad so cannot be called upon against Lyon.

That could leave Gerrard with Leon Balogun as his only regular option, with Calvin Bassey possibly filling in alongside him if Borna Barisic returns at left-back.

After a vital league win over Saints – thanks to James Tavernier’s stunning late strike (left) – Gerrard revealed his fears for Helander (inset) and doubts over Goldson’s availability for midweek. He said: “I’m concerned about Helander. He’s with the doctors now being assessed. He’s got ice on, he’s bandaged up and it doesn’t look good.

“But until we scan it in the next 24 or 48 hours we’re not sure. Hopefully he’ll pull through but we’ve got other defenders who will need to step up if we’re short.

“I’m hoping Connor will be available for Thursday but I’m not sure, I need to speak to the doctors.”

Gerrard was full of praise for his players after showing real resilience to recover from a goal down to take all three points and go top of the league.

Saints took the lead in the 50th minute when Michael O’Halloran latched on to a long pass from Hayden Muller and fired an emphatic shot high beyond Jon McLaughlin from just inside the box. The equaliser came in the 57th minute when Kemar Roofe fired home a penalty after Muller was deemed to have fouled Ryan Kent.

But Tavernier gave the large travelling support the moment they had been waiting for when he arced a sensational 25-yard strike over Zander Clark and into the net on 79 minutes.

Gerrard said: “That’s why James is captain, because of his quality. He steps up in big moments and he’s got us three points instead of one today. “There’s a lot of noise around Nathan Patterson who is a fantastic player and who will eventually be Rangers’ right-back for a long time.

“But you have to remember we’ve got the best right-back in Scotland here right now as well. In any game of football that’s a world class finish from James.”