---
title: "Glasgow Rangers: Alan Hutton tips Filip Helander to replace Leon Balogun for match against Bayer Leverkusen"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/gers-alan-hutton-helander-leverkusen/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Features"
published: "2020-08-06T10:00:46Z"
modified: "2020-08-06T10:00:46Z"
---

# Glasgow Rangers: Alan Hutton tips Filip Helander to replace Leon Balogun for match against Bayer Leverkusen

**Glasgow Rangers face Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the last 16 of the Europa League this evening and Steven Gerrard’s are currently [3-1 down](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51726183) and the Bundesliga side have three away goals, so a big performance is needed if the ‘Gers are to advance to the quarter-finals.**

Gerrard will have to pick the best starting XI that he feels can go out and attack the game from the start, but he will also have a selection dilemma in defence, as Leon Balogun performed very well in his [professional debut](https://www.sofascore.com/aberdeen-rangers/bXsfX) for the club on the weekend, but he will be unavailable for selection as he only [just signed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53531608#:~:text=Rangers%20sign%20Leon%20Balogun%20after%20centre%2Dback's%20Wigan%20Athletic%20exit,-24%20Jul&text=Rangers%20have%20signed%20Nigeria%20centre,signed%20a%20one%2Dyear%20contract.) and will therefore not be registered to participate in the 2019/20 Europa League.

Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/ive-got-a-feeling-hutton-tips-senior-rangers-star-to-be-axed-for-27yo-v-leverkusen/) on who he thinks will replace the defender, former Scottish international Alan Hutton said*, “I’ve got a feeling Helander will play, just with his European experience.* *It’s a difficult choice but one I feel he’ll have to make.*

*“I think Edmundson has done really well since he come in and he’s probably disappointed that he didn’t start against Aberdeen but this is a chance for whoever to got out and prove they are ready and step into a massive tie, a massive game.* *They’ll really want to prove themselves because they’ll be disappointed they didn’t start the first game of the season.*

*“Every footballer is the same, you go and have a good pre-season and the first game is the one where the manager picks his strongest side so they’ll have been disappointed not to start and will be looking to put in a strong performance.* *Places are still up for grabs and it’s up to one of them to make it their own.”*

It will be very interesting to see who Gerrard picks to pair up with Connor Goldson, with the European experience of Filip Helander possibly counting in the Swede’s favour. The centre-back, who signed for [£3.51m](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/filip-helander/transfers/spieler/198067), has played for Swedish side Malmo in the Champions League and Europa League, per [Transfermarkt.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/filip-helander/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/198067/verein/496)

The ‘Gers also have George Edmundson, who [partnered](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/george-edmundson/profil/spieler/385848) Goldson in the reverse fixture against Leverkusen. The Englishman had [earned a regular starting berth](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/george-edmundson/leistungsdaten/spieler/385848) in the team prior to lockdown and, although he didn’t start on Saturday, he may also be a strong contender to come in for Balogun.

As Hutton has said, the centre-back role alongside Goldson is very much up for grabs and it will be intriguing to see who Gerrard selects for the game at the BayArena this evening.

***‘Gers fans, who do you think will get the nod to start at centre-back this evening? Let us know your views by commenting below!***