Kim Minsu update drops as Rangers attacker plays no part for South Korea

Rangers ace Kim Minsu was an unused substitute for South Korea in their final match of the international break.

The 20-year-old made his senior international debut in the 3-0 win over Ecuador two weeks ago and impressed supporters with his confidence.

Kim was rewarded with his full South Korea debut in the 0-0 draw with Venezuela, having also been used for 45 minutes against Uruguay.

However, he was named among the substitutes against Uzbekistan on Tuesday and did not make it off the bench.

South Korea won the match 2-0 in Kim's absence through goals from Son Heung-min and Oh Se-hun.

So why exactly was Kim not used by Robert Moreno in his country's final game of the international window?

Kim Minsu absence explained for South Korea win vs Uzbekistan

Kim - hailed a player with "outstanding technical skills" by Derek McInnes - played a total of 127 minutes across South Korea's three friendlies prior to the clash with Uzbekistan.

As per Korean journalist Joel Kim, who has been the go-to for updates on the versatile Rangers winger, his absence was not injury related.

Instead, it appears to have been down to an agreement between South Korea and Rangers.

As explained by Kim via X, Kim was held back "in respect for the club", before adding: "Rangers, he's all healthy, he's all yours."

It goes without saying this is a huge positive for McInnes, who will now hope Kim lands back in the UK sooner rather than later.

Who are the other Rangers internationals still to play?

There is just one more day left of international action before club football resumes at the weekend.

In Rangers' case, that is a home match with Hibernian on Saturday afternoon.

With Kim's international exploits done for now, there are six more Rangers players still to play.

Ryan Naderi is likely to feature for Czechia against England, while Emmanuel Fernandez's Nigeria take on Russia.

Ivor Pandur is with the Croatia squad to face Spain, meanwhile, and Bojan Miovski's North Macedonia are up against Switzerland.

Findlay Curtis is now with the Scotland senior side as they take on Slovenia, as is Liam Kelly.

Only when those games are over can McInnes properly begin to plan for that Hibs clash.