The speculation surrounding Ridvan Yilmaz, in the end, lead to nothing as the Rangers left-back stayed put at Ibrox despite reports of a potential return to Besiktas.
And, while uncertainty continued to swirl around the left-back until the final few hours of the window, the noises coming out of Glasgow stated that Ridvan Yilmaz was never going to leave Rangers before the 11pm deadline.
Yilmaz’s representatives played down talk of a return to Turkey. Furthermore, while Besiktas may have been keen to bring back a player who made his name at the Vodafone Arena, the Super Lig giants could not afford Rangers’ reported asking price anyway.
The Gers allegedly value Yilmaz at around £4 million. Far more than Besiktas were capable of spending in the winter market anyway. Ridvan Yilmaz turned down Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, too, as well as the chance to reunite with John Lundstram and Borna Barisic at Trabzonspor.
And as Yilmaz breaks his silence, Rangers’ all-action full-back hit back is at pains to point out that he is loving life in Glasgow, even if there is one ambition he is yet to tick off on his Ibrox bucket list.
Ridvan Yilmaz explains Rangers stay and Premiership title ambitions
“I love this country and the people here,” Yilmaz smiles. “When I arrived, I couldn’t speak English and didn’t know anything about Scotland but everyone at the club was so helpful.
“It was tough at the start but now everything is normal. I feel Scottish because of what everyone has taught me!
“I can’t say it has gone as well as I had hoped because, at this club, you always want to be the champions. We haven’t done that yet when I have been here. We always try our best and I can assure everyone that the gaffer and my teammates want to achieve that.
“I think I’ve developed since coming here. The coaches I have worked under have really helped me.”
While his performances remain inconsistent, Philippe Clement has been glowing in his praise for Ridvan Yilmaz, particularly during a defensive injury crisis. The Turk stepped in for James Tavernier and producing arguably his finest Rangers performance as a right-back during the 3-0 trouncing of Old Firm rivals Celtic.
And while some back in Turkey suggested that Yilmaz was open to leaving Rangers for Besiktas, the player himself is in no rush to retrace his steps while he craves the cold silver of the Premiership trophy.
“Besiktas is a big club in Turkey and I spent 13 years there. I grew up there but I was a boy and now l am a man,” Yilmaz adds. “I want to be the best player I can be. l love this club and my team-mates. I’m happy to be here.
“I am feeling good after my injury. I’ve played left-back, right-back and on the left wing.
“I’ve spoken to the gaffer about playing in different positions and said to him that I was happy to play for the team. It doesn’t matter where I’m playing, the most important thing is being able to help my teammates. Everything is good right now.
“l always feel confident when I play left-back but I think I’ve done quite well at right-back and on the wing. Of course, it is tough to play in a different position as your brain wants to do the things it would normally do. I’m used to playing on the left but I try to do my best to adapt to wherever I have to play.”
Yilmaz glad to showcase his versatility at Ibrox
Philippe Clement it is injury which kept Ridvan Yilmaz out of action for the last three matches – against Dundee United, Union Saint Gilloise and Ross County – rather than, as some had suggested, a potential winter exit.
Yilmaz should return sooner rather than later, though Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash with Queens’ Park may come too soon.
“We have a few injuries right now and the boys are working hard to get back,” he concludes. “We all want to stay fit but sometimes it happens.
“You just have to step up. I’d never played right-back before this season and it wasn’t easy for me. I’m used to playing on the left, but I think I did well and the most important thing was helping the team.”
