Michael Beale makes Rangers decision on Ridvan Yilmaz

Rangers boss Michael Beale has picked his squad for the group stages of the Europa League and in RIdvan Yilmaz, there is a noticeable exclusion.

The Gers boss has a few options should the Croatian get injured, however, after the Old Firm defeat, you’d have thought he’d have learned his lesson.

Rangers current first choice left-back is Borna Barisic but there are no other natural options in the Europa League squad and Ridvan Yilmaz is a strange absence.

Rangers make Ridvan Yilmaz Europa League decision

Dujon Sterling covered against Celtic but, in a game plan so heavily reliant on full-backs providing width, having one who wants to cut inside isn’t going to work against better teams and severely limits our attacking threat.

The team that started the Old Firm featured no left footed players, Kieran Dowell has also missed out in the European squad which leaves just Borna Barisic and Ben Davies.

Davies could cover but it is more likely that Adam Devine or Sterling deputise if needs be.

When we have a Turkey international in the squad who cost in the region of £5m, is that really the sign of a successful squad overhaul?

Not enough home-grown players means that Beale has to pick and choose who makes his squad.

If Rangers had signed Josh Doig instead of Ridvan Yilmaz it wouldn’t be an issue, or Scott McKenna instead of Ben Davies, Lawrence Shankland instead of Cyriel Dessers and Lewis Ferguson instead of John Lundstram.

But Beale deciding to take this risk is unnecessary.

Leon King is more than competent as cover for Davies, Connor Goldson and John Souttar and doesn’t take a place in the squad due to his age, the same goes for Adam Devine and Johnly Yfeko.

Picking Sterling as a utility player is fine, but it shouldn’t be at the detriment of our chances of success should one player get injured.

It’s either a hint that Beale is going to be stubborn and refuse to change his approach or, adopt three at the back and needs Sterling just in case.

Whatever his thinking, a Rangers career for Ridvan Yilmaz looks less and less likely with every passing squad and team selection.