Galatasaray have been urged to decide against bringing Rangers’ former Besiktas flyer Ridvan Yilmaz back to Turkey with the Super Lig challengers told to recruit a ‘more solid’ full-back.
It’s safe to say Levent Tuzemen, a Turkish football reporter not afraid to speak his mind, does not rate Rangers’ number three particularly highly.
As the shutters close on a potential January switch to Italy – Hellas Verona closing in on Ruben Vinagre instead after selling Josh Doig to Sassuolo – a return home now feels like Ridvan Yilmaz’s best hope should he wish to secure a move away from Ibrox this month.
But Tuzeman, speaking to GS Gazete, obviously feels Galatasaray can do better than a player who has struggled to convince at Ibrox, even if Yilmaz has found league minutes a little easier to come by of late under Philippe Clement.
Ridvan Yilmaz still faces uncertain Rangers future
“He was trained in Besiktas and then went to Rangers. The coach of the Scottish team is looking for a more physical and stronger full-backm” Tuzeman explains. “That’s why Rıdvan’s exit might be in question.
“I don’t like Ridvan Yilmaz very much. I think Galatasaray can recruit a full-back who is fresher and has more solid feet on the ground.”
Clement this week confirmed that Rangers would look to bring in another left-back to take Yilmaz’s place if a January departure could be arranged. That, however, may be easier said than done. Rangers’ pursuit of Owen Beck, Kai Wagner and the aforementioned Doig have already run aground.
Clement open to Yilmaz stay
Perhaps tellingly, Clement appeared to open the door for Yilmaz to stay when asked about the Turkey international again ahead of the Scottish Cup clash with Dumbarton.
“There’s not been talks around that (Ridvan leaving),” Clement said. “We had our individual talk like with all the players in training camp. With Ridvan it was clearly a good talk because afterwards he played. So we will see.
“I know January transfer market. It’s always special, and you need to be prepared for everything and that’s what we’re going to do.”
“Yeah, clearly (Yilmaz has the right attitude). OK, you don’t know me that long maybe but ,if he was not committed, he would never have played against Hertha or against Copenhagen (in the recent friendly clashes).
“So, no, he’s committed to the club and what he has to do here, everything, training. Otherwise, (he) will never come on the pitch.”
