Rangers boosted with big shock return for Lyon – not Hagi | OneFootball

Rangers have been boosted by a shock return to the squad, and we don’t mean Ianis Hagi.

Rangers prepare for Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday buoyed from an outstanding Match Day 1 result v Swedish giants Malmo, but the challenge versus the French is going to be a whole lot tougher as Rangers host Peter Sage’s men at Ibrox.

But Philippe Clement has been bolstered with the return of Turkey’s Ridvan Yilmaz to training, and while the former Besiktas star isn’t at full fitness yet, he is most definitely fit enough and may be a surprise starter in Govan on Thursday night.

Brazilian Jefte has surprised many, including Ibrox Noise, with one or two decent displays deputising at left back, and especially shone as Rangers’ only real stand out performer v Hibernian at the weekend.

But Lyon is a different animal to Hibs, and Ridvan Yilmaz has shown in quite a few European levels that he has the quality to deliver in continental competition.

He famously was about Rangers’ only credible display in Napoli in 2022 when the whole team had struggled in Italy that evening, but he shone, and he’s generally been a very good left back for the club.

And he may well play a role tomorrow, having been included in the squad list for Rangers’ Europa League campaign.

It’s a big boost – Rangers have been down to bare bones, having to rotate between Jefte and Kasanwirjo lately, with options of Dujon Sterling and Robbie Fraser in there too.

Having Yilmaz back, as the established first choice, is a badly-needed fillip and precisely what Rangers would want, even though the Dutchman had a good display in Sweden, albeit not as a typical left back.

Will Ridvan start at Ibrox?

We have our doubts, but it’s a big, big return.

Let’s hope he doesn’t sustain an injury again any time soon!