Rangers media partners Heart & Hand claim there is “zero truth” in reports that Ridvan Yilmaz could be set to return to Turkey with Besiktas.
The Ibrox side signed the 21-year-old Turkish international from the Super Lig club in the summer, in a deal which could reportedly reach up to £5m [Sky Sports].
But the player’s first season in Glasgow has been badly disrupted by injury as the left-back spends around five months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Couple this with Glasgow being Ridvan Yilmaz’ first club outside of Turkey, the player coming through at Besiktas, and it’s been a challenging year for the Rangers star.
This has led to reports in the player’s homeland [Fanatik] that a return to Besiktas could be in the offing in the summer on a season-long loan deal.
But now Rangers insiders Heart & Hand have moved to quash those rumours, insisting Ridvan Yilmaz is considered an important part of the Ibrox side.
Taking to Twitter, Heart & Hand say:
“Zero truth in reports suggesting Yilmaz has been loaned to Besiktas for next season. Michael Beale is very keen on him.”
Ridvan Yilmaz to Besiktas Rangers exit reports quashed
The reports come an interesting juncture in Ridvan Yilmaz’ Rangers career, with this not the first time the talented young left-back has been linked with a return to Turkey.
Ex-Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has previously rejected Turkish exit reports in the press, with Galatasaray and Trabzonspor other names extensively linked to the player.
But after nearly five months out of the side, the last 14 days has seen Ridvan Yilmaz return to the Rangers fold with a substitute appearance against Raith Rovers and a start v Motherwell.
So far the kid’s Ibrox career has been limited to an underwhelming nine appearances but there is great hope that the worst is behind a player who has already shown flashes of talent since joining the club.
The inclusion of ex-Besiktas star Ridvan Yilmaz v Motherwell also gives a glimpse into the future of a new look Rangers side.