Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz is unlikely to make an appearance for the Light Blues in their upcoming Old Firm clash against Celtic, according to Mark Guidi.

The Light Blues are set to face Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops at Ibrox on Sunday (7 April), aiming to secure their first Old Firm victory of the season and potentially move to the top of the Scottish Premiership with three points.

While Philippe Clement has suggested that Yilmaz has a 50/50 chance of playing against Celtic, Mark Guidi, the chief football writer for Sunday Mail, anticipates that the Turkish international will be absent from the squad. Guidi believes that Borna Barisic will be the preferred choice at left-back for the match.

During The Go Radio Football Show (5 April, 4:45), Guidi expressed his opinion, stating, “No, I don’t expect Ridvan Yilmaz to play, whether it’s Barisic or Philippe Clement’s got something up his sleeve to cause a wee bit of a surprise. But no, I wouldn’t expect Yilmaz to play.”

Clement has typically been cautious with players carrying slight injuries, likely preferring to only include Yilmaz if he is completely fit and ready to play without risking further injury.

Yilmaz has evolved into one of Rangers’ key players in recent months, offering solid performances that have significantly contributed to the team’s success. When Yilmaz is absent, Barisic has often struggled to match his defensive stability and attacking threat. Therefore, Rangers would ideally want Yilmaz to return for such a crucial fixture.

In the title race, this match is vital for both sides, and Rangers will hope to field their strongest lineup at Ibrox on Sunday.