Rangers manager Philippe Clement recently addressed inquiries regarding the availability of several pivotal players. The response, however, wasn’t particularly optimistic.
Among the absentees is Ridvan Yilmaz, Rangers’ steadfast left-back whose absence was keenly felt in the recent showdown against Celtic. Clement confirmed that Yilmaz remains sidelined, delivering a succinct, albeit disappointing update: “Ridvan is still missing, yes. The rest, no special things after the last game.”
On a brighter note, Abdallah Sima’s return to action is a welcome development for the team. The Brighton loanee made a notable impact by netting a late goal in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Celtic. His resurgence comes at a crucial juncture, especially with January acquisition Oscar Cortes and long-term absentee Danilo unavailable for selection.
Danilo, the former Feyenoord and Ajax striker, has struggled with injuries, featuring in only 12 league matches during his inaugural season at Ibrox. Meanwhile, Cortes, on loan from Lens, faces uncertainty regarding his future in Rangers blue, having made just seven appearances before succumbing to a severe muscle injury.
Manager Clement acknowledges the possibility that both players may have concluded their season prematurely: “I think there’s a big chance that the season is finished for (Danilo and Cortes). But you never know if they’ll be ready for the last week.”
The decision on Cortes’ potential permanent transfer remains pending, with the Colombian international demonstrating glimpses of his potential before his unfortunate injury setback. Clement remains cautiously optimistic about their return, emphasizing the need for a thorough evaluation before considering their involvement towards the end of the season, especially if the team progresses to a cup final.
“It’s difficult to speak about one week or two weeks according to that. We have to see the situation with the squad and how they are,” Clement reflects, highlighting the complexity of managing player recoveries amidst the demands of the season.