Rangers manager Philippe Clement has unequivocally shot down claims that Ridvan Yilmaz is pushing for a transfer to Galatasaray.
The Ibrox boss was being quizzed on the situation with the Turkish international left-back, Ridvan Yilmaz having been strongly linked with an exit all January long.
There’s been talk of bids from Galatasaray, interest from Serie A Verona, and plenty of Rangers links to left-back options, but as it stands Yilmaz is very much an Ibrox player.
Now, amid claims from a Turkish journalist that Ridvan Yilmaz is pressing Philippe Clement to let him leave Rangers, the Ibrox manager has shot this down.
Osman Senher – writing for Milliyet – had also claimed the Rangers left-back’s spot at Euro 2024 might depend on it.
Philippe Clement on Ridvan Yilmaz attitude
Speaking ahead of the Scottish Cup clash with Dumbarton, Philippe Clement didn’t mince his words when it comes to Ridvan Yilmaz.
Claiming that had the 22-year-old not shown him the requisite commitment in a recent face-to-face meeting, then he wouldn’t be anywhere near the team.
This comes after Ridvan started both mid-season friendlies, with Rangers beaten by Hertha Berlin in Spain and drawing with FC Copenhagen at Ibrox.
“There’s not been talks around that (Ridvan leaving),” said Clement. “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.”
Asked about if Ridvan has the right attitude, Clement said: “Yeah, clearly. 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, clearly. So no he’s committed to the club and what he has to do here, everything, training. Otherwise they will never come on the pitch.”
Rangers transfer window continues to simmer
The comments from Philippe Clement suggest that there is no friction with Ridvan Yilmaz and that the Turkish international is committed to the Rangers cause.
This follows on from a message from the defender on social media reaffirming his love of Rangers, which came amid speculation over his future.
The Turkish international has – 18 months into his Rangers career – begun to come onto a game and now fans are unsure if letting the player leave is wise under the circumstances.
With fellow left-back Borna Barisic working his way back from injury and out of contract in the summer, it’s a position of sizeable upheaval in the weeks and months ahead.
But from a Rangers perspective, unless some puts up for Ridvan Yilmaz, then there will be no issue with him sticking around in the squad this January.
The discussion is symbolic of what’s been a largely flat Rangers transfer window to date, with only Fabio Silva (Wolves) coming into the squad and Sam Lammers (Utrecht) heading out.
Verona seemingly looking elsewhere might also put the brakes on those links to Ridvan Yilmaz.
