Derek Ferguson believes that if Ridvan Yilmaz isn’t healthy enough to play against Celtic, Borna Barisic shouldn’t start for Rangers.
Due to his struggles in this fixture over the previous several seasons, the former Ibrox favorite believes the Croatian full-back doesn’t handle the psychological strain of an Old Firm derby well.
After suffering an injury during the international break, Turkey defender Yilmaz’s availability is in question. Philippe Clement expressed his uncertainty during the team’s pregame press conference on Friday, April 5.
Ferguson would therefore prefer to see “superb” Dujon Sterling start at left back on Sunday if the 22-year-old is unable to play, even though the utility player would ideally be most useful in the middle of the field.
He exclusively told Ibrox News: “I don’t think it’s a fixture for Barisic. I don’t need to back myself up in terms of that. Because over the course of the last couple of seasons mentally he doesn’t handle it well.
“I’m not saying that Barisic is not a good player but this fixture brings huge pressure, and I don’t think Barisic deals with it well.
“If Yilmaz is fit he should go straight in there. If not, and there are doubts about him, certainly Sterling for me could go in there. Sterling’s been superb. He’s played a whole range of different positions.
“He did play there, if I recall, last Saturday against Hibs, he went in there for the last 10-15 minutes and did it seamlessly, not a problem.
“Preferably I hope Yilmaz is fit, that would be a bonus, because certainly having Sterling in my starting XI I’d have him in the middle of the park.”
Dujon Sterling tipped for Rangers full-back role if Ridvan Yilmaz out
Ferguson won’t be the only Gers supporter wary of having Barisic in the starting line-up against Brendan Rodgers’ side after some high-profile defeats in recent years, particularly at Parkhead.
Sterling has shown himself to be a strong contributor wherever Philippe Clement has utilised him this season, but a lot of complications would seemingly be solved if Yilmaz is fit to start, as a recent update had suggested.
Injury issues have plagued the Rangers campaign but Abdallah Sima is fit to feature so it would come as a hugely-welcome boost to the supporters if the full-back recovers in time as well.
