FILIP Helander made his first appearance for Rangers in over seven months as the Ibrox club eased to a 2-0 victory over English opponents Coventry City this evening
A Joe Aribo strike – the Nigerian midfielder’s second in four days – and a Connor Goldson header in the second-half ensured Steven Gerrard’s men won their fourth and final public workout before the new campaign gets underway comfortably.
The triumph over their Championship opponents followed victories over Lyon and Nice in the Veolia Trophy in France last week and Premiership rivals Motherwell on Thursday.
The Glasgow club have kept clean sheets in all four of their pre-season friendlies and netted no fewer than 10 goals and will head to Aberdeen for their opening league match at Pittodrie next Saturday with confidence high.
The return of Swedish internationalist Helander, the £3.5m centre half who has been sidelined with a foot injury since playing against Celtic in the Betfred Cup final back in December, lifted their spirits further.
Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos dived and headed a James Tavernier long ball wide in the 28th minute and then had a goal-bound shot blocked by City defender Declan Drysdale four minutes before half-time.
But Morelos set up the opener with a clever flick to Aribo in the Coventry penalty area in the 50th minute. The skilful midfielder then drilled a shot beyond Marko Marosi and into the bottom left corner of his net.
Goldson put his side further in front after Marosi had done brilliantly to deny Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi in rapid succession. He rose well and met a James Tavernier delivery from the right flank and his glancing header sailed into the top corner.
The visitors offered little going forward during the 90 minutes. Allan McGregor dealt with a long-range attempt from Jordan Shipley comfortably in the first and then showed good reactions to deny Jodi Jones and Amadou Bakayoko in the second.
Gerrard fielded a strong side, but gave game time to Helander, who came on for George Edmundson after an hour, Brandon Barker, Scott Arfield, Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Jamie Murphy, Greg Stewart, Jamie Barjonas and Josh McPake.
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