Well, this is one way to put the cork in the rumours. Almost as soon as they emerged, the agent of Rangers’ £5 million arrived to shut the speculation down.
And this, at least, offers a sense of certainty about the future of one member of Philippe Clement‘s squad, at a time in which so many of his team-mates have either said their goodbyes already or may find themselves doing so in the coming weeks.
Rangers confirmed on June 1st that John Lundstram, Ryan Jack, Jon McLaughlin and Kemar Roofe would all be departing Ibrox when their contracts expire. Borna Barisic is leaving too, one of those 2021 title winners under Steven Gerrard on his way out of the door after six years on the blue side of Glasgow.
Barisic’s exit – Trabzonspor appears to be his most likely destination – meant that reports suggesting Ridvan Yilmaz could also be on his way were not particularly well received amongst the Gers support.
Yilmaz, after all, has been one of the club’s most improved players since Clement’s arrival. What’s more, despite the signing of fellow left-back Jefte Vital from Fluminense, Barisic’s farewell should ensure Yilmaz has a major role to play under the big Belgian going forward.
So the comments made by the Turkey international’s agent at the start of this week will be music to the ears, the former Besiktas flyer seeing a potential return to his homeland shut down pretty emphatically.
Rangers will keep Ridvan Yilmaz this summer
“Ridvan’s career plan is to continue in Europe,” Necdet Ergezen, Yilmaz’s agent, tells reporter Gokmen Ozcan. “There is no plan to return to the Super League in the near and medium term.”
Yilmaz ousted the long-serving Barisic as Rangers’ number one left-back following the turn of the year, finally showcasing the potential that encouraged the Glasgow giants to take a pretty sizeable punt on him during the summer of 2022.
“The little man has made a huge impression ever since the winter break and has nailed down the left back berth for himself,” legendary captain Barry Ferguson told the Daily Record in the spring.
“He’s been a slow burner, and that can happen with any young player adjusting to life in a new country. But he’s a proper Rangers player now.”
Rangers are looking to bring in another left-footed defender in Thomas Galdames. The Godoy Cruz ace has thrived in a full-back berth of late but, by his own admission, remains more comfortable in a central role at the heart of the backline.
Squad overhaul underway at Ibrox
Rangers turned to Galdames after missing out on the £3 million Jose Cordoba to Norwich City, while handing a well-earned contract extension to veteran Leon Balogun.
“Keeping big Balogun at the club was a no brainer for me,” Ferguson says. “Yes, he may be 35-years-old. But he looks, to me, like the consummate professional. I’m delighted he will be sticking around to offer some continuity as Clement rings the changes elsewhere.
“With five players released already, the manager will know exactly how he wants his squad to look when he gets back to Auchenhowie.”
