Helander dismisses speculation

FILIP HELANDER has dismissed suggestions he could leave Rangers for the Premier League this summer as “speculation” as he sets his sights on a double with Steven Gerrard’s side this term.

The Swede has been linked with Aston Villa and Leicester in his homeland in recent weeks after an impressive campaign at Ibrox that has seen Rangers clinch the Premiership title.

Helander agreed a four-year deal when he made the move from Bologna and is savouring the silverware success following a historic top-flight triumph.

Helander said: “It’s just speculation. I feel good here and I have two years left on my contract here.

“That’s really the only thing I think about. I want to continue to perform well at Rangers and then hope to be able to join the European Championships this summer. This is where my focus lies.

“It has been fun [this season], but also different, as there have been no fans in the stands, but it is the same joy to have won something.

“I come from Malmo and winning at home with my own team is special in its own way, but winning something abroad is also fun.

“It was also an ambition I had when I came here, to be able to win something. It is definitely a big goal that I set, so it is fun to be able to check it out.”

Rangers now have the chance to add the Scottish Cup to their Premiership crown and further emphasise their domestic dominance.

Old Firm rivals Celtic stand in their way and Helander said: “We meet quite early in the cup. It is also the last title we can win this year, so it is something we look forward to very much. I have never won a Double, so it would be very big.”