Rangers fail to sell expensive ace who can’t handle physicality amid transfer interest
Rangers have “missed a trick” by not selling Ridvan Yilmaz when they had the chance during the summer, says Derek Ferguson.
The full-back was again linked to a Turkey return during the transfer window with Galatasaray [Fotomac, 6 August], as well as a return to Besiktas under Giovanni van Bronckhorst [Turkiye Gazete, 18 June].
But no move materialised and 23-year-old has now picked up another injury to rule him out for some weeks, in what Ferguson feels is more proof that he isn’t physically suitable for Scottish football.
He exclusively told Ibrox News: “I think they’ve missed a trick with Yilmaz. They should have tried to sell him in the summer to be honest.
“Had a good look at Yilmaz over the course of the last two or three years. He ain’t robust enough for this league. Doesn’t play a lot of 90 minutes.
“For the first time since he’s been at Rangers he plays three, four 90 minutes and then he’s picked up another injury, he’s on the sidelines.
“Physically I don’t think he deals with our game up here. He would struggle in England as well, big time.
“I didnae think when the manager came in he’d be his cup of tea, but he stuck with him and says he would improve him in the preseason in terms of his fitness.
“But here we are again, he’s injured, he’s going to be out for a length of time. It would have been the better option to try to sell him on.
“I think there was a little bit of interest from one or two of the Turkish teams. We’re going to have him now until January and on the wages there’s a £4m-£5m player on good wages, we’re not going to be able to shift him.“
Ridvan Yilmaz injured at Rangers after Galatasaray interest
Jefte’s arrival has so far provided decent cover for the injury-prone Yilmaz, whose Ibrox career seems to continually be derailed by fitness issues just as it is starting to take off.
He has regularly been linked to a move away but the Light Blues have seemingly ever seen an offer that they deemed acceptable.
While more effective than some of the signings who have arrived in the past couple of seasons he is in danger of rendering himself a failed transfer by dint of being unavailable too often.
Injury put paid to any chance of a move away this summer but it remains to be seen how much longer he lasts in Glasgow.
In other Rangers news, Todd Cantwell has responded to accusations of refusing to play after leaving the club.
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