Status quo is Steven’s secret to success

Terry Butcher hopes history won’t repeat itself for Rangers this season.

Central defender, Filip Helander, is out for three months, following knee surgery after being stretchered off last weekend in the 2-1 win at St Johnstone.

The Swede will now sit out a huge chunk of the campaign, in what will be a busy domestic and European schedule.

Butcher, a former Ibrox captain, knows how that feels.

The big Englishman missed most of the 1987-88 season with

In season 1987/88, manager Graeme Souness was far from happy, let me tell you!

a broken leg, sustained in an accidental collision with Alex McLeish against Aberdeen at Ibrox.

Celtic went on to win the Premier League and Scottish Cup in their Centenary year, and Butcher hopes a similar scenario doesn’t befall Rangers when they move into their 150th year.

The Gers legend told The Sunday Post: “It was in the November I broke my leg, and it was just a horrible time.

“I missed out on the rest of the campaign, and also didn’t make the European Championship Finals with England.

“My injury just wouldn’t heal. Day after day, I was willing it on. I wanted to get out and play for Rangers. I wanted to help the team.

“But I couldn’t rush it. I had to be patient, and do my hard hours on the treatment table and in the gym. I also spent time at the FA’s Rehabilitation Centre at Lilleshall.

“Make no mistake, it was a lonely period. But I had the mental strength to cope.

“I also had good team-mates, always looking out for me and making sure I felt part of things, even though I was unable to play.

“Chris Woods was always there for me, and that was appreciated. The likes of Ally McCoist was also different class. They were all good guys.

“Having a strong support network in the dressing-room will be vital for Filip Helander. There will be times he’ll feel a little bit down, and that’s when the players and the staff really need to help him out.

“He is also a good player, and will be a loss.

“But it may open the door for someone else to step in and take over. It may be someone that Steven Gerrard would expect to make that position his own, or it could be a totally unexpected solution. We will wait and see.