Rangers manager Michael Beale has confirmed that Turkish international Ridvan Yilmaz is set to return to the club’s squad from injury for the Scottish Cup visit of Raith Rovers.
Not only is this a boost to the Ibrox side’s chances for the remainder of the season, but as the 21-year-old continues to regain his fitness over the next few weeks his return should give an insight into a new-look Rangers.
Whilst the ex-Besiktas star was signed from the Turkish Super Lig side in the summer, on a deal which could eventually reach up to £5m, injury has hampered Ridvan Yilmaz’s start to Ibrox life.
Former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst was also reluctant to throw the player into the starting XI in the early part of his Ibrox career as he looked to settle in Scotland.
But almost one year on from when the player joined Rangers, fans should now begin to see why the club spent such a substantial outlay on the player in the summer window.
Ridvan Yilmaz set to return from Rangers injury
Injury has been a running joke for Rangers this season and alongside the problem with Ridvan Yilmaz, fellow new signings Tom Lawrence, Antonio Colak, Rabbi Matondo and Ben Davies have all encountered problems.
It has meant the club has failed to properly bed in many of these players and as fans get sick and tired of the same old guard letting us down on the trophy front, many are already looking beyond this campaign.
But to get a sneak peek of what the future has in store with the return of Ridvan Yilmaz from injury will present a boost to Rangers fans who’re looking at the fresh blood in the squad for optimism from an otherwise dismal campaign.
January signings Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell have made a hugely positive and energetic early impression, whilst Bayern loanee Malik Tillman is in the running for the country’s Young Player of the Year.
All four form add a talented and fresh quality to a stagnant Rangers XI and it’s interesting that whilst the next window looms large, we could see the quartet fully incorporated into the side heading into the summer.
The introduction of Ridvan Yilmaz to the side is the next step in the Rangers revamp and fans will be hoping to see the kid return from injury against Raith Rovers at Ibrox.
Speaking of Todd Cantwell…