BBC Sport journalist moots League Cup final start for Ridvan Yilmaz after Rangers injury news
Ridvan Yilmaz had the chance to “stake a claim” for Rangers in the League Cup final after his start against Hearts, according to BBC Scotland’s Brian McLauchlin.
The left-back was named in the starting XI by Philippe Clement for the Scottish Premiership meeting with Hearts on Wednesday (6 December).
The call-up came after fellow left-back Borna Barisic was ruled out of that match with a “slight muscle problem,” as per Sky Sports (6 December).
“The injury for Borna Barisic allows Ridvan Yilmaz to stake a claim for a place in the upcoming League Cup final against Aberdeen, but it’s three points the visitors will be seeking against a rejuvenated Hearts side,” McLauchlin said before the match at Tynecastle, as per BBC Sport (6 December).
Start incoming?
Rangers boss Clement will have plenty of big decisions to make for his first cup final at the club, with the Gers set to meet the Dons in the League Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday 17 December.
The comments from the man in the dugout regarding first-choice left-back Barisic suggest that the player will make a quick return to the pitch. But his deputy Yilmaz may just give his manager something to think about in the weeks to come.
The Turkish left-back has, however, not featured much for the Ibrox club this season, with Yilmaz making just 10 appearances in all competitions so far.
Barisic, in stark contrast, has been the favoured player in that area, with the Croatia international already boasting 20 appearances in all competitions.
The figures strongly suggest that it will be Barisic who gets the nod from the start in the highly-anticipated cup final at the national stadium in Glasgow.