Turkey’s national team manager, Vincenzo Montella, has offered a cautious update on the injury status of Rangers’ rising star, Ridvan Yilmaz, asserting that Yilmaz will undergo assessment while remaining with the squad.
Yilmaz, who has recently cemented his place as a vital component of Rangers’ starting lineup in their pursuit of the Scottish Premiership title, displaced Borna Barisic as the primary left-back this season. His stellar performances led to a late call-up for the friendly matches against Hungary and Austria, where he earned a start against Scotland’s Euro 2024 opponents.
However, Yilmaz’s promising run was cut short after just 27 minutes into the game against Scotland, as he limped off the field clutching his left thigh during the 1-0 defeat. This adds to Rangers’ injury concerns ahead of the league restart against Hibs, with a crucial top-of-the-table clash against Celtic looming just a week later.
With players like Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack, Kieran Dowell, and Danilo already sidelined, Philippe Clement faces further challenges. Following the match in Budapest, Montella refrained from confirming whether Yilmaz would continue with the squad for Tuesday’s encounter with Austria. He stated, “I will think about this issue. We need to evaluate the physical condition of our football players. I also have a plan in my mind for young people to gain experience in such matches. I will make my decisions after making a good evaluation.”
Montella’s statement underscores the uncertainty surrounding Yilmaz’s immediate future and emphasizes the importance of thorough assessment before any decisions are made regarding his participation in upcoming fixtures.