Helander must be ready to grab chance as he brings out best of Katic

GARY McALLISTER reckons the arrival of Filip Helander has brought out the best in Nikola Katic. And now he has backed the Swedish stopper to show what he is all about at Ibrox.

Helander has only appeared briefly since completing a £3m move to Rangers from Bologna last month. But he could be handed a start in the Betfred

Cup clash with East Fife tomorrow as Steven Gerrard’s side look to progress to the quarter-finals.

Connor Goldson and Katic have established themselves in the opening weeks of the campaign and former Oldham defender George Edmundson is also competing for a starting spot.

Gerrard and McAllister have tough decisions to make on a week-by-week basis but there will be further changes to the team for the trip to Methil.

McAllister said: “Filip Helander comes into the reckoning. He’s been playing catch-up fitnesswise but every day on the training field you can see him getting up to speed.

“He’s a natural defender but he brings a left foot to the left side as well. He’s a clever lad and he’s very much aware how well the team are playing.

“When the opportunity does come he has to grab it and catch the manager’s eye. His arrival has definitely helped to lift Nikola Katic’s game.

“Maybe the arrival of Joe Worrall last season had the opposite effect because he came in and took Niko’s position and Niko has learned from that and he’s been very strong in both boxes.

“We come under pressure in some of the European games but the clearances and headers have been vital and it would be hard to split up that GoldsonKatic pairing at the moment.”

Rangers head into the cup clash on the back of another impressive showing in the

Europa League after their 3-1 victory over Midtjylland.

Alfredo Morelos netted twice against the Danes after opening the scoring last week and the Colombian is thriving in the battle with Jermain Defoe.

McAllister said: “If anyone’s questioned where his mind’s at, look at his goalscoring. He’s been outstanding, but again, he’s driven along by a 36-year-old. Just training alongside this guy, as much as I’ve known and watched Jermain for years, he’s top drawer and he still is. Everything he does, his manner, Monday to Friday, standards. Morelos can only get better watching him. But he’s a powerhouse.”