Former Ibrox icon Neil McCann admits he would be baffled if Scottish Premiership challengers Rangers let Ridvan Yilmaz join Turkish giants Galatasaray without a replacement lined up.
With the Turkish transfer window remaining open until February 9th, Galatasaray still have another fortnight to come to terms with a player who has emerged on their radar 18 months after leaving Istanbul neighbours Besiktas for a chance on Scottish soil.
Ridvan Yilmaz has been heavily linked with a move away from Rangers throughout the window.
But, after maintaining an impressive run of recent form with a well-taken opener in Wednesday’s 3-0 win at Hibernian, McCann feels that Rangers would perhaps be better off keeping Yilmaz for the remainder of the campaign. Especially with a number of potential replacements slipping through Philippe Clement’s fingers.
Ridvan Yilmaz impreses as Rangers beat Hibernian
“I think there’s still a chance he could have a future,” McCann tells BBC SportScene, the 22-year-old converting a fine John Lundstram assist at Easter Road.
“If they don’t get a replacement, then I’d find it strange they’d let Ridvan Yilmaz walk out the door.”
Finding a natural successor is proving to be easier said than done.
Liverpool blocked their approach for Owen Beck, Kai Wagner stayed on at Philadelphia Union, David Jurasek left Benfica for Hoffenheim, and one-time Hibs ace Josh Doig is now a Sassuolo player.
Anass Salah-Eddine of Ajax is the latest name under consideration, via Fabrizio Romano, but it is not certain as things stand whether the Eredivisie giants would green-light a mid-season move.
‘Brilliant’
“I think the boy (Yilmaz) is maybe looking for a move because of his lack of use. I think he’s struggled to find consistency and freedom of injury,” McCann adds.
“But (his goal at Easter Road) is a brilliant move. It’s a beautiful touch that sets him up and it’s a wonderful finish. He’s a full-back that does his best work going forward, it’s how he is one-on-one defensively.
“If the opportunity comes for the boy to go back to Turkey, which is the suggestion with Galatasaray, I think he’ll take it. But if they don’t get a replacement, I don’t think they should sell him. They should keep him.
“He showed (vs Hibs) there’s something there in him. And Philippe Clement has a knack of getting players to turn in performances.”
Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk hinted at a move for Yilmaz a few hours before kick off at Easter Road. A left-back is a ‘priority’ for the club, with former Manchester City man Angelino potentially on his way to Italy.
