One of the biggest compliments that can be paid to Philippe Clement – so impressive since he replaced Mick Beale at Rangers – is how many players have turned their Scottish Premiership careers around under the former Monaco and Club Brugge boss.
Even Celtic legend Chris Sutton has to admit that Cyriel Dessers has silenced his critics; the previously maligned centre-forward not quite deadly but certainly not ‘a dud’.
John Lundstram ‘looked lost’ under Beale – to quote former Rangers striker Kenny Miller – but is playing the best football of his career under the Englishman’s predecessor. And as for Ridvan Yilmaz, a fanbase who would have lost no sleep about his potential departure three months ago are now being won over with every all-action, box-to-box display from their pocket-rocket left-back.
So much so that news of Borna Barisic’s likely departure have been met not with hand-wringing but with a new-found confidence that the Croatian’s successor is already in place.
Barry Ferguson hails Rangers star’s revival
“It’s good news that Ridvan Yilmaz could be back for the Old Firm game,” former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson tells the Daily Record. “Because the little man has made a huge impression ever since the winter break and has nailed down the left back berth for himself.”
Yilmaz picked up an injury during Turkey’s 1-0 defeat to Hungary last week. He is expected to be back, however, for the potential title decider with Celtic on April 7. Saturday’s visit of Hibernian may come a little too soon though.
“He’s been a slow burner,” Ferguson adds of a man belatedly living up to his £3.5 million price-tag nearly two years after joining from Besiktas. “And that can happen with any young player adjusting to life in a new country.
“But he’s a proper Rangers player now and I’m sure the manager will want him back fit as quickly as possible.
“In the meantime, Borna Barisic might have to step back into the line-up and I have no qualms at all about that. Yes, he may be coming towards the end of his time at the club but his commitment to the cause has never been in doubt. If this is going to be his last few months in Glasgow then I am positive he’ll want to bow out with another championship in his bag.
“There could be no better way to say goodbye after so many years of service.”
Ridvan Yilmaz could replace Borna Barisic long-term
Barisic is reportedly on his way to Turkey with Trabzonspor. Jefte Vital currently seems like the most likely reinforcement, Rangers having agreed terms with Fluminense in January while remaining on the trail of the APOEL Nicosia loanee.
There is interest in FC Twente’s assist-machine Gijs Smal too. Smal, however, is allegedly set to end up at Feyenoord.
