Filip Helander has opened up on his injury hell and post-Rangers life.
The big Swede was brought to the club by former boss Steven Gerrard but has spent over a year on the sidelines in what Michael Beale - who was No2 at the club when he arrived - described as a 'unique problem'.
He's faced the mental challenges of being ruled out so long and had to watch on as the Light Blues went on a memorable Europa League run all the way to the final in Seville under Giovanni van Bronckhorst while they also lifted the Scottish Cup and reached the Champions League group stages earlier last season under the Dutchman before his exit.
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Helander got the chance to say his Ibrox goodbyes alongside Allan McGregor, Scott Arfield, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent as the five stars took to the turf on the final home game of the season to receive an ovation with their contracts set to expire.
He told Fotbollskanalen : "I was out running anyway and it felt good in the foot. I'm happy about it after being away for so long. It has been complicated and things may have gone wrong in the rehab, for various reasons. There are of course things you cannot know. It hasn't gone the way we wanted at first.
"I haven't been able to play much football. It's clear, it takes a toll on you mentally. You go and wait and hope, then things don't go as you want and so on. Of course it has been [difficult]. But that's football. At the same time, I have had a good time otherwise in life, but of course I would have liked football to be different."
When quizzed about whether a new deal was on the cards, he said: "Because it turned out the way it did - the idea was that I would come to training already in March - but then when it didn't happen, it wasn't really relevant from their side [Rangers], which you have to buy. Having been injured as long as I have, I understand their situation. They didn't really know how it would go for me."
On a potential future with Malmo, he added: "Yes, but it's clear. I'm from here, my family is from here and Malmo has developed incredibly as a club. Only by being here have I been able to see it. They seem to have a good harmony in the team, so I could definitely imagine that. Then I don't know what my options are either. Of course, if there is interest from both sides, it is something I will think about."
