Besiktas president addresses Ridvan Yilmaz rumours, explains why Rangers bought him
Besiktas president Ahmet Nur Cebi has addressed the transfer rumours around Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, claiming he will be given more minutes by his club this season.
Reports had emerged that Besiktas wanted to take Yilmaz back to the club on a season-long loan deal before their transfer deadline on 15 September [Fanatik, 7 September], but the rumours have now been quashed.
According to Nur Cebi, Rangers’ original plan when they bought Yilmaz last summer was for him to spend a year as a backup for Borna Barisic before being integrated into the first team the following season.
Speaking to Turkish outlet SportsDigitale, as reported by the Daily Record [12 September], the Besiktas president stated: “They signed him last year in preparation and this year Ridvan will play more games there.”
The statement seems to have put an end to the transfer rumours surrounding the left-back’s future in Glasgow, and he will be hoping to see more game time as the season goes on as he currently remains the backup to first-choice option Barisic.
Could still change with time
By no means does this statement mean Yilmaz will definitely be a first-team player by the end of this season. Let’s assume the statement was accurate – a lot can still change in a year. He may still not be deemed good enough for a regular starting place.
He should, however, be given more of an opportunity than he has so far. With Barisic’s up-and-down start to the season causing issues, plus the uncertainty over his long-term future at the club, Yilmaz should provide the club with a ready-made replacement.
Even if it means the process takes slightly longer than the two-year plan initially set out for him, he could be eased into the side on a more regular basis this season before taking over from Barisic when he eventually departs from Ibrox.
Yilmaz’s only game time this season came in the 1-0 defeat to Celtic at Ibrox, where he came off the bench as a 65th-minute substitute. Dujon Sterling was chosen as the replacement for the injured Barisic, possibly in a sign of where Beale’s preference lies.
In other Rangers news, a BBC pundit has claimed the club have made their mind up over Beale’s future.