Rangers manager Michael Beale says he is “delighted” for Ridvan Yilmaz after he opened his account for the Gers against Livingston.
The 22-year-old wing-back has had a stuttering start to his time at Rangers with injury disrupting the bulk of his first season at the club.
Speaking after Ridvan Yilmaz netted a stunner against the Lions to announce himself at Ibrox, Michael Beale has challenged the player to find his best consistently.
“Delighted for him (Ridvan Yilmaz) because he’s had a rough first year and a bit to his Rangers career,” Michael Beale said following the 4-0 win over Livingston.
“He’s showed moments and flashes of why the club invested in him and why he was such a big talent in Turkey and in the national team so young.
“But obviously injuries have held him back so hopefully that’s the start of him showing what he can do more regularly.”
Ridvan Yilmaz opens Rangers account v Livingston
As Ridvan works his way back into the Rangers side fans got a glimpse of the player the club sanctioned a £5m deal to sign last summer.
Marauding down the left-hand side, Ridvan Yilmaz had the entire Livingston defence backing off him before he poked the ball home with a touch of class from the edge of the box.
Ridvan Yilmaz’s goal against Livingston also comes after the player was also left out of Rangers’ Europa League squad by Michael Beale.
The young Turkish left-back was a victim of the imbalance in the Rangers squad and whilst Beale admitted he’s not exactly happy about the situation, it presents the left-back an opportunity on domestic duties.
If Ridvan Yilmaz can continue to replicate the kind of form he showed against Livingston then Rangers fans will begin to see why the club sanctioned the transfer.
The Young Turk might also be able to force his way into Michael Beale’s Europa League squad after Christmas too, should his teammates make it that far.
