Rangers: Ridvan Yilmaz injury boost for Celtic clash at Ibrox as timeframe for return emerges
Ridvan Yilmaz’s injury doesn’t look to be serious and he could be available when Rangers face Celtic on 7 April, according to the Daily Record.
The paper reported via its website late on 25 March that after the Turk was forced off hurt playing for his country against Hungary last Friday (22 March) he could provide Philippe Clement with a key boost by being available for the Old Firm derby at Ibrox.
His unavailability would have been a major blow on top of a series of other injured players but he is reportedly confident he can return in as little as a week.
A source close to the defender said: “We’re hoping the recovery process will only take seven to 10 days. Fortunately the injury is not too severe.
“While we don’t want to put an exact date on it, we’re hoping he will be in the squad or, even better, on the pitch against Celtic.”
Philippe Clement handed vital Rangers injury boost for Old Firm
It would clearly be far better if the 22-year-old hadn’t been hurt at all on international duty but it should come as a significant relief if he is set to recover in a short timeframe.
Borna Barisic, who looks set to leave the club for the Turkish Super Lig in the summer, would be in line for a Rangers swansong if Yilmaz was unavailable.
And the Croatian has had some shaky moments in crucial Celtic clashes before so with the Scottish Premiership title race potentially hinging on the upcoming meeting it would provide more confidence if the Turk can reprise his place in the starting XI.
Clement may even be set to see the long-awaited return of Abdallah Sima in some capacity for the Old Firm game which would provide another welcome boost.
Rangers have an important meeting with Hibs first up on 30 March but thanks to the postponed trip to Dundee are likely to go into the derby trailing in the SPFL table so the more the manager get have available to him the better amid a season of endless fitness set backs.
In other Rangers news, the club’s pursuit of a new free transfer arrival has set alarm bells ringing.
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