This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

Filip Helander has been excluded from Rangers' Europa League squad ahead of the play-off against Legia Warsaw in what is another sign he might be struggling at Ibrox.

What's the story?

Helander joins Greg Docherty in dropping out of the squad, with Steven Gerrard preferring new recruits Andy King and Brandon Barker for the final qualifying tie.

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The £3.5m signing has made just one competitive appearance for the Gers since arriving five weeks ago. The Swede scored against third-tier East Fife in the past weekend's 3-0 win in the League Cup, though he did come in for some criticism.

The centre-back has struggled to displace the impressive Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson so far during his short time at Ibrox. Gerrard has preferred his two signings from last summer over this campaign's new recruits Helander and Geroge Edmundson.

Worrying signs

Katic and Goldson, who have done incredibly well so far this season, are one of the key reasons Gerrard's side have only conceded five times in nine competitive games in this campaign.

While it's no bad thing that the two are playing well, the stronger their partnership grows, the less likely Helander is to get a consistent run of games in the side. Not ideal for such an expensive arrival.

A more pressing issue is why Edmundson is still preferred over the Swede. The 21-year-old retained his spot in the Europa League squad, which has to be a concern for Helander.

At 21, the Englishman is the ideal fourth-choice defender - he should be fairly content spending a year learning from Katic, Goldson and Helander.

Yet, early signs show him to be above his expensive fellow new arrival in the pecking order.

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Also, we could look back at the £3.5m shelled out for the ex-Bologna man as a poor investment, not just because he's been confined to fourth-choice but because that outlay could've been better spent.

The left-back position is a worry for fans and it's no surprise; Borna Barisic, the only natural in that position, has started poorly this season. That money could've been spent on fixing a problem position, not strengthening an area already filled with two quality starters and a young talent.

While it's still early, the signs are ominous for Helander at Ibrox.

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