Philippe Clement had more than one problem to solve for Rangers this summer and it was never going to be completed in a single transfer window.
One of them, was to increase the number of homegrown players in the squad other than promoting from within the ranks at Auchenhowie.
Looking at those eligible for the Europa League squad that has now been picked, Johnly Yfeko seemed a dead cert to be part of the something that the manager had planned to implement.
Johnly Yfeko reflects on Rangers exit talks
Instead, the 21-year old defender has moved to Exeter City on loan with an option to buy, a transfer that they player has been discussing with The Rangers Review:
“To be honest, I didn’t talk to him at the time about it,” Yfeko said of speaking to Clement before deciding to move to St James Park.
“I spoke to the academy director and sporting director and they thought it was the best thing for me, they knew I needed to play football either at Rangers or somewhere else.
“I am 21 now and if I can’t play men’s football now then maybe there is not a space for me in the game. It was a chance to go and play men’s football and show that I am ready throughout the season. By the end of it, I will have learned a lot of things. So far so good.”
Signed on a free transfer after being released by Leicester City, comparisons to Calvin Bassey were always going to be made.
With an equally as physical game and playing in the same position, coming from the same club only made it harder to avoid them.
What might have been as Yfeko looks to prove Rangers wrong
Yfeko didn’t quite kick on from his impressive pre-season showings last summer as Bassey did when he first signed and it is only a year since Michael Beale was lauding the young defender:
“Big Johnly Yfeko again is becoming the big surprise of preseason, making everybody smile and I thought Sam Lammers came on again and showed his quality. So, all in all, it was a really positive day. No injuries. Everyone’s played minutes and the competition of the places is where I want it to be.”
Philippe Clement had Yfeko in a few matchday squads, however, at 21, regular games are more important than sitting on the bench or in the stands.
He is also learning his craft at senior level under the tutelage of former Scotland international Gary Caldwell, a player who made 54 appearances for his country, played in the Champions League and made over 100 appearances in the Premier League – he should know how to advise a young centre-half finding his feet in the game.
With Clinton Nsiala signed, it looks like there are no plans for Yfeko to be reintegrated into the first team should Exeter not take up the option to buy.
What he has to do, is see it as his chance to prove Rangers wrong with his debut proving that he just might.
