Earlier this week, John Lundstram opened up on the discussions with a former Rangers team-mate which played a part in his decision to leave Ibrox for Turkey.
The free-agent midfielder, sealing a move to Trabzonspor shortly after it was confirmed that his Ibrox contract would not be extended, was quick to consult Ridvan Yilmaz when the prospect of a fresh start in the Super Lig presented itself.
And Yilmaz, a Turkey international who joined Rangers from Besiktas, could hardly have been more complimentary.
“I’m a very good friend with Ridvan Yilmaz, so we spoke a lot about Turkey even before the interest from Trabzonspor,” Lundstram tells A Spor.
“I wanted to know about the culture, about Besiktas and what the fans are like, because I hear that you guys are quite crazy!
“And, when I heard from Trabzonspor, I asked Ridvan and he said I’d love the club. So I was very comfortable with the decision.”
Borna Barisic and John Lundstram swap Rangers for Turkey
Lundstram, of course, was not the only former Rangers stalwart unveiled on the banks of the Black Sea this week.
Borna Barisic also joins Trabzonspor on a free transfer. And, like Lundstram, the long-serving left-back was convinced to hotfoot his way to Trabzson by two men who’s opinion he obviously holds in high regard.
Mislav Orsic joined Trabzonspor last year after a disastrous stint at Southampton. Former Celtic and Leicester City defender Filip Benkovic, another of Barisic’s fellow Croatians, is also now earning a living at Papara Park.
“I am very happy to be here,” Barisic explains, via BeIN Sports. “I would like to thank the management, the president, of course our coach, the technical team and everyone who contributed to my coming to Trabzonspor.
“Of course, I talked to Orsic and Benkovic. I also asked them during (the negotiation) process.”
Barisic explains that Trabzonspor’s former coach Nenad Bjelica also played a role in his decision. Bjelica, interestingly, was alsolinked with the Rangers job before Philippe Clement took over from Mick Beale on the blue side of Glasgow.
Barisic explains reason behind Trabzonspor switch
“Everyone told me very nice things about the club, the city and the fans and how people really live for this club,” Barisic adds. “They also told me how well we are supported here every day and that I will definitely enjoy the club.
“After seeing everything else, it was an easy decision for me to come here.”
Barisic, a £2 million signing from NK Osijek under Steven Gerrard back in 2018, brings an end to six successful years in Scotland. In truth, the 31-year-old had lost his place to the aforementioned Yilmaz anyway, Clement preferring the youth and athleticism of the former.
Rangers also have another left-back in their ranks in the shape of Jefte Vital.
It remans to be seen which of Jefte or Yilmaz begins the 2024/24 campaign as Clement’s first choice in the position. Rangers also have the uber-versatile Dujon Sterling, who stepped in impressively when required on the opposite flank.
Yilmaz continues to be linked with a return to his homeland. The 23-year-old’s agent, however, insist that there are no plans to head back to Turkey as things stand.
“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.”
