Rangers missing four for Hibs clash as Philippe Clement issues Ridvan Yilmaz injury news
Ridvan Yilmaz is one of four Rangers players confirmed to be unavailable for the visit of Hibs on Saturday, Philippe Clement has revealed.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (29 March) the Belgian indicated that the full-back will be joined by long-term absentees Oscar Cortes and Danilo, as well as midfielder Ryan Jack, in being ruled out of contention, although Abdallah Sima is finally back in the frame.
Yilmaz was hurt playing for Turkey over the international break but an update emerged subsequently suggesting he could be back quickly, and Clement has confirmed the defender’s issue is not long-term but stopped short of saying he will be available for the Old Firm derby with Celtic (7 April), just that “we will see next week”.
Jack continues to be ruled out after picking up an issue on the trip to Portugal for the first leg of the Europa League tie with Benfica (7 March), which forced the manager to change his plans for the cup victory over Hibs.
Ryan Jack still out for Rangers as Philippe Clement prepares for Ibrox clash
Cortes and Danilo being out is no surprise, and unfortunately for Jack his absence won’t come as a shock to many either.
His time at Rangers is probably coming to an end when his contract expires in the summer due to his miserable injury luck, with the latest issue now keeping him out of a series of fixtures again.
Yilmaz’s condition is a lot more positive than was feared when he limped off against Hungary over the international break, but perhaps not as good as hoped when a source close to him suggested he could be back in action straight away for his club.
It seems that as fast as Clement gets players back for selection as he attempts to add two more trophies to the Viaplay Cup he seems to lose more elsewhere.
That he has turned the season around from its dismal start under Michael Beale is an impressive feat full stop.
But having managed to do so with so many injury hurdles to clear makes it all the more of a job, yet with just a point deficit to Celtic at the top of the table while holding a game in hand, and a Scottish Cup semi-final with Hearts on the horizon, there is an unlikely treble still in the offing.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have made a decision on an exit-linked ace’s future.
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