Rangers could forget about Yilmaz by signing exciting left-back target

This Saturday marks Glasgow Rangers’ return to competitive play as they take on Dumbarton in an attempt to capture a 35th Scottish Cup.

Negotiating this tie should be quite simple, and maybe Philippe Clement will start a few periphery players or maybe a couple of youth standouts against the League Two team.

But one thing is certain going into the second half of the season: if the Gers want to compete in the upcoming months on both the home and European fronts, they will need to bolster their first-team roster.

The 49-year-old strategist is searching the market for a replacement who might step in and make an impact because left-back is one position that is in dire need of reinforcement.
Rangers’ pursuit of a fresh left-back

Borna Barisic, the team’s first choice at left defender, has a contract that expires at the end of the current campaign. Dinamo Zagreb has reportedly expressed interest in signing him, so in the coming months, it’s possible that he will leave the Ibrox team.

Ridvan Yilmaz, Clement’s other left-side defensive option, is drawing interest as well and may leave the Gers as soon as this month if the appropriate offer comes up.

In fact, according to Sky Sports (via Glasgow World), the Light Blues recently turned down a loan-to-buy offer from Galatasaray because the £3.4 million asking price is obviously less than what Clement believes the young player is worth.

He still has time to leave, and since the transfer season opened, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for an alternative in this region.

Benfica defender David Jurasek is one of the most recent names to be linked to a move. According to Football Scotland, Clement may be able to entice Jurasek to the team on a loan agreement that would last until the end of the current campaign.
Rafael, David, Benfica, and Rangers

A temporary arrangement might be the best method to get someone else on board without having to pay a hefty transfer fee; in any case, it might be advantageous for both parties.
With the possible exception of a few flashes of brilliance, Yilmaz has not settled in well at Rangers, thus it may be best for the Belgian coach to let him go.
Numbers from Ridvan Yilmaz’s Rangers career

The Turkish defender was a thrilling addition for the club, which paid an incredible £5 million for him back in the summer of 2022. Giovanni van Bronckhorst was trying to construct the foundation of a young, successful team.

The young athlete was praised by former sporting director Ross Wilson, who stated: “After remarkable performances for Besiktas, he is a talented young player who has been coveted throughout Europe.” We are also aware of his great reputation inside the Turkish National Team. We are thrilled to have Ridvan join the Rangers team as another talented young player.”

Yilmaz had a disappointing 2022–23 season with the club, missing 29 games in his first season in Scotland due to injury. Yilmaz played just 15 times in all competitions.

Much was anticipated of the defender after a strong preseason, but Michael Beale left him out of his Europa League team, and the 22-year-old started just 10 games in the first half of the season.

Although he did score the team’s first goal against Livingston with a brilliant solo effort, it is obvious that Clement has not been persuaded by these brief displays of skill that he is the team’s best long-term left-back choice.

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