In July this year the excitement started to build as Rangers looked set to splash the cash on signing young international defender Ridvan Yilmaz.
By the end of the month the deal would be complete and Ridvan Yilmaz joined the Ibrox club for a reported fee that could rise to £5m.
Ridvan Yilmaz (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
With reports that his direct competition Borna Barisic could be leaving the club fans were excited by the prospect of the new star left back.
However things have not gone to plan so far for the young Turk as only a handful of starts have come since his summer move.
Some whispers of home sick feelings and struggles to settle were floating around social media as then manager Gio continued to leave out the left back.
A reoccurring hamstring injury has put the brakes on an instant impact as the player has spent some time on the treatment table.
Yilmaz has ability and potential to be a bright spot in a dim season at Ibrox
Only seven appearances would come under Gio but there have been glimpses of flair, pace and quality.
A tremendous showing and an assist in a League Cup outing against Queen of the South would get fans excited again but Yilmaz would struggle to get in the team moving forward.
Its fair to say that critics can be countered by the fact the 21 year old has had to move to a new culture and anyone would find it difficult.
However with a £5m outlay comes with huge expectancy at Ibrox and nothing less than instant success is expected.
Fortunes can change for Yilmaz though due to the recent appointment of Michael Beale who is known for bring the best out of young players.
Recent reports of an early exit were quashed by Yilmaz showing his commitment to his new employers.
That commitment will be met by Beale who will hope to get more than just a glimpse of quality out of the full back.
Rangers don’t spend upwards of £5m unless the player is a valuable asset and over the next few months that’s what Yilmaz can be.
The former Besiktas man’s opportunities will come and he is more than capable of ousting Borna Barisic as first choice left back and becoming a key figure.
He was adored at Besiktas and they believed he was destined for the very top so losing him was a blow.
The money spent and the praise given all point to Yilmaz being a tremendous young prospect that can flourish at Ibrox.
Michael Beale can bring the best out of the multi million pound man and he could become a real positive in what has been a difficult season.
Also – Rangers are being let down badly as a £47m gap highlights SPFL mismanagement.