Borna Barisic ruled out of Rangers clash v Celtic – sources
Rangers left-back Borna Barisic has been ruled out of Saturday’s (13 May) Old Firm clash with Celtic, sources have told Football Insider.
21-year-old Ridvan Yilmaz is set to start a second consecutive Scottish Premiership game after playing 90 minutes against Aberdeen last week (7 May).
Rangers boss Michael Beale confirmed Barisic’s absence through injury in the build-up to the Dons clash earlier this month.
He has failed to shrug off a muscle injury in time to face Celtic in Saturday’s derby.
The Croatia international has been a key man for the Ibrox club during the 2022-23 campaign.
He has notched two goals and 13 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions for Rangers, and has managed 10 assists in the Scottish Premiership alone.
Barisic, 30, is out of contract in June 2024.
Meanwhile, former Besiktas defender Yilmaz has featured just 11 times across all competitions for Rangers – notching just one assist.
The Turkey international joined the Gers for a reported initial fee of £3.4million last summer (2022).
The 21-year-old has been linked with a return to Besiktas in recent weeks following a lack of first-team action in his first season in Scotland.
Saturday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox will have no bearing on the league table, with Celtic already wrapping up the Scottish Premiership title with a 2-0 win over Hearts last week (7 May).
The Hoops have pulled some 13 points clear of their bitter rivals with four games remaining.
Speaking on Friday and quoted by football.scotland (12 May), Rangers boss Beale confirmed that centre-back Ben Davies will also miss the Celtic clash after suffering an injury against Aberdeen.
He also revealed that Ryan Jack has returned to training after three games out with an injury.
In other news, Rangers to sign nine more stars as another medical scheduled.