Derek Ferguson believes there’s too much hype around one current Rangers star at the moment despite his good form.
Ridvan Yilmaz has been installed as Philippe Clement’s first-choice left-back over recent weeks and that is evident in the fact he has played seven of the last eight Scottish Premiership games [Transfermarkt].
And that is despite the heavy transfer speculation that has surrounded Ridvan across the January window, with Galatasaray seeing a late bid rejected by Rangers for the left-back.
Clement is clearly convinced Ridvan – who could cost Rangers as much as £5m if add-ons in his current Ibrox contract are met – is committed to the cause and the Turk will likely play a huge part in the title race as well as in Europe.
Michael Beale strangely left Ridvan out of his Europa League squad at the start of the season but with three changes permitted before the knockout rounds kick in, Ridvan has been brought into the pool of players available to face the club’s last 16 opponents in March.
And Ridvan deserves that because he’s been brilliant, particularly against St Mirren and Hibs recently. However, Ferguson has never been a fan of the 22-year-old and while he mustered up the humility to praise Ridvan’s recent form on the Open Goal podcast recently, he thinks fans are getting too excited.
Derek Ferguson on Ridvan Yilmaz
Derek Ferguson said: “You look at Ridvan Yilmaz, he’s doing alright. He’s doing okay. I just think everybody is getting a wee bit too excited because he’s had a couple of good games.
“I’m not saying he’s not played well, he’s had a couple of good games – but I don’t think he’s brilliant.”
Ferguson was then asked by co-panellist and former Rangers striker Gordon Dalziel if he would have Borna Barisic ahead of Ridvan. He replied: “That’s a good question by the way.
“In the big pressured games I think he (Barisic) lets himself down. I think with Barisic, he still gives you more going forward in terms of the quality of balls (into the box).
“He gives you energy, Yilmaz. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me. Maybe he’s a player I just look at physically and think ‘he’s not Clement’s type of player’.
“I think until such times when he can get a good left-back in with that physicality or that bit of strength – but the last couple of games, he’s done well.”
