Helander out for the foreseeable future

[ICA_86]

That’s a fucking disaster.

 

[Jan Wyck]

An injury to goldson away from a disaster

Given his almost indestructability so far, and only missing on Saturday because of isolating, it would be sods law if he were to get injured now.

 

[Riquelme]

Grim. Balogun has shown time and time again he isn’t EL level (despite his good showing against the mentally challengeds).

Wouldn’t be adverse to giving McClelland a shot in there. Impressed me when I have seen him.

 

[sregnar]

Get Katic back if we can, have to.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1438104763405639681

 

[Liviger1984]

Could tell by his reaction he knew it was a bad one. Gutted by this!

 

[ICA_86]

I’d imagine they’ll be looking for cover in that case then.

What if Goldson is out - we have Balogun and Simpson to go with.

Yep, we need a short term cover

We cannot hope to get through the current Covid scenario with the senior centre backs we have.

 

[DC23]

Might be a good thing for balogun to get a run in the team at centre back with goldson, could build a solid partnership!

 

[RamlufBear]

Depending how long he's out for, Katic will likely get recalled in January.

Nicolas N'Koulou is currently a free agent after being released by Torino. If it's long term, it might be worth looking at free agents.

Plenty of experience by the looks of it, 18m value at one point not to long ago!

 

[Plissken]

You knew by his face on Saturday he was out for a good while.

Must be a few centre backs out of contract that could do us a turn surely.

 

[kingboyd1]

Just seen it on Twitter there! Gutted for the big man hopefully it’s a speedy recovery with jo complications. Helanders a big big miss

 

[vinnie]

Katic getting a recall, or moving Helander out of the Euro squad and Simpson in

Can’t call him back until January

 

[devilman]

Any decent time with him out is a massive blow, such a good defender and would have been perfect for tomorrow game. Big blow.

 

[Koist-El]

Not the greatest news at all, hopefully he’s back sooner rather than later

 

[Southpaws]

That’s an absolute gutter. Just as he was looking absolutely irreplaceable.

You thought he looked irreplaceable being turned inside out by O’Halloran and the boy who turned him inside out to the point of cork screwing him into the turf when he injured himself?

He was very poor on Saturday as he has been in the past when turned, I’m kind of glad he’s not playing against Lyon as it is a big step up from St Johnstone both in terms of quality and pace.

 

[Main Stand]

This ain’t good, but not much can be done.

Lot of pressure on Balogun and Goldson to stay fit and consistent now.

 

[Carlisle Bear]

Bollocks.

Always a risk with the strategy of bringing in guys like Helander and Roofe though, brilliant when you can get them on the pitch but they probably wouldn't be at us if they didn't have fitness issues.

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

Gutted but not surprised, it looked ominous the moment he went down.

 

[Plissken]

You thought he looked irreplaceable being turned inside out by O’Halloran and the boy who turned him inside out to the point of cork screwing him into the turf when he injured himself?

He was very poor on Sunday as he has been in the past when turned, I’m kind of glad he’s not playing against Lyon as it is a big step up from St Johnstone both in terms of quality and pace.

Who was he playing on Sunday?

 

[TerrySilverLoyal]

Free agent players 9-10 times are that way for a reason

there’s very few that would be worth it

 

[Davie2021]

Absolutely sickening

It’s never , ever just a fortnight with us . Totally cursed with injuries especially knee injuries since as far back as I can remember

 

[Main Stand]

You thought he looked irreplaceable being turned inside out by O’Halloran and the boy who turned him inside out to the point of cork screwing him into the turf when he injured himself?

He was very poor on Sunday as he has been in the past when turned, I’m kind of glad he’s not playing against Lyon as it is a big step up from St Johnstone both in terms of quality and pace.

Just like Celtic, Feyenoord and Porto are.

He had a poor game, so does every player - he’s still our best defender and should be playing every game when he is fit.

Saying your kind of glad he isn’t playing, is genuinely bonkers.

 

[Carnager]

Sink or swim time for Jack Simpson. If he doesn't grasp this opportunity with both hands then he will never make it with us.

 

[JD1872]

Simpson will be given a chance now and needs to step up.

With Goldson still not signing an extension and Balogun at the end of his deal, we may need serious work in the next couple of windows in this position

 

[davmcc]

I wonder if we’ll look at any free agents at cover. Are there any?!

We still have 3 fit centre backs and Bassey who can play there.

I highly doubt we are going to start giving out contracts to guys to cover a few months injury.

 

[Shawlands_Bluenose]

Katic is best placed where he is just now even if we could call him back.

Can’t afford to gamble on him at the moment and need him to be playing every week to build himself back up

 

[RaskolnikovBear]

Well that’s not ideal.

 

[JMCK]

Not good news at all .

Simpson has looked poor so far albeit he's not played much . This will be a massive chance for him .

Simpson did not look poor in the time he was on in the last game.

 

[scotty27]

Any youths able to step up?

Or are they all tied into the B team?

Don't think Gerrard is keen on playing inexperienced centre backs. Remember him being very critical of the way McCrorie was used before he took over.

 

[QueensferryCR3Bear]

Double %^*&

 

[giogaddi]

Just like Celtic, Feyenoord and Porto are.

He had a poor game, so does every player - he’s still our best defender and should be playing every game when he is fit.

Saying your kind of glad he isn’t playing, is genuinely bonkers.

That poster doesn't have a clue.

 

[ICA_86]

‘At least a couple of months’ gives me the fear when it comes to us.

 

[ssblue]

You thought he looked irreplaceable being turned inside out by O’Halloran and the boy who turned him inside out to the point of cork screwing him into the turf when he injured himself?

He was very poor on Saturday as he has been in the past when turned, I’m kind of glad he’s not playing against Lyon as it is a big step up from St Johnstone both in terms of quality and pace.

Bull.

He is our best defender and has in the main been outstanding since he arrived.

Had he played against Malmo we may well have been playing last night instead of tomorrow night.

It is a big blow.

 

[Valley Bluenose]

Free agent players 9-10 times are that way for a reason

there’s very few that would be worth it

Yup, these guys - the experienced ones at least - are either not seen as good enough or their demands to sign-up are deemed extortionate. Otherwise they'd have clubs. Given our situation now, were we to approach one of them then their demands would likely escalate, given the position we are in.

I think we will stick with what we have, especially as any new signing would be no good to us in EL groups.

 

[AppleBear]

Well that's absolutely terrible news.

 

[Tailwind]

An injury to goldson away from a disaster

Can always rely on FF for a bit of catastrophising

 

[Modfella]

Get well soon Big Fil, back for title push and 56.

 

[Southpaws]

Just like Celtic, Feyenoord and Porto are.

He had a poor game, so does every player - he’s still our best defender and should be playing every game when he is fit.

Saying your kind of glad he isn’t playing, is genuinely bonkers.

Goldson is much more consistent and less likely to lose a foot race. Fil is not a Central defender you want to play in a high line, I think his strength is back to his own goal defending deep as he is positionally sound a good reader of the game.

His weaknesses have been ruthlessly exposed in the past, Benfica being the most damming example.

 

[JD1872]

The H&H tweet say at least a couple of months not a few months.

Could make all the difference with big games in December

 

[Mr_Miscellaneous]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1438104763405639681

It's amazing how few people understand the concept of "Nikola Katic is registered at Hajduk Split until the January Transfer Window"

 

[TerrySilverLoyal]

Simpsons chance to sink or swim really.

Balogun can’t play a couple games a week for the foreseeable I’d say.

bassey can fill in but not natural area then that means you have 2 left backs playing at the same time which then increases injury risk with zero cover in reserve. Of course Aribo could fill in but you aren’t wanting him there

 

[Monty_greenock34]

I feel sick knowing Jack Simpson will now be used more often

Bit over dramatic er mate haha

 

[Southpaws]

Bull.

He is our best defender and has in the main been outstanding since he arrived.

Had he played against Malmo we may well have been playing last night instead of tomorrow night.

It is a big blow.

Goldson is our best and most consistent central defender, which is reflected in our managers utilisation of and trust in him.

 

[TerrySilverLoyal]

Can always rely on FF for a bit of catastrophising

Are you saying it wouldn’t be?

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Pretty huge blow this.

 

[DazRFC94]

“Can we recall Katic” must be the new “Can Jelavic play in Europe” on here.

 

[Bluetothecore]

It was inevitable this would happen after sending Katic on loan. Another who just can’t stay off treatment table.

 

[Main Stand]

Goldson is much more consistent and less likely to lose a foot race. Fil is not a Central defender you want to play in a high line, I think his strength is back to his own goal defending deep as he is positionally sound a good reader of the game.

His weaknesses have been ruthlessly exposed in the past, Benfica being the most damming example.

The pace thing isn’t as much of an issue as people think, his reading of the game and positional sense cover this alleged deficiency.

For example, the Alashkert striker was no slouch and Helander caught up to him even though their striker had a yard of a head start.

As I said, he’s handled the likes of Feyenoord, Porto and Celtic fairly comfortably who are all a level above St Johnstone and have pacey players.

Goldson has had some nightmares himself, as does every defender but ultimately I think most would be more confident going into tomorrow’s game, with Fil playing.

 

[JohnD]

Gutted for Helander and for the team. It's all very well saying that we can rely on Balogun but he has barely played a 30-game season in his career and will likely require regular rotation. What's the rules on making changes to the Europa squad?

 

[Stockport bear]

Of course you can't predict injuries but this happens too often. Remember when we were struggling in midfield last season and then strikers the year before. We had a huge squad at the beginning of the season and we let go 2 centre half's and we're now in a bit of trouble. Balogun is a massive downgrade and then Simpson on that.

 

[Main Stand]

Gutted for Helander and for the team. It's all very well saying that we can rely on Balogun but he has barely played a 30-game season in his career and will likely require regular rotation. What's the rules on making changes to the Europa squad?

We can’t swap him out.