Rangers could look to sell ‘Huge Disappointment’ Ridvan Yilmaz in January
Rangers should look to sell Ridvan Yilmaz in the January transfer window and pursue other targets, according to Scott McDermott.
McDermott suggested in his Sunday Mail column on page 60 from this weekend [1 December] that Yilmaz has been a “huge disappointment” and not physically up to the standard required.
He believes the Gers should cash in on Yilmaz, currently a back-up left-back to young summer signing Jefte, and punt for Aberdeen star Jack MacKenzie.
“[Jefte] has the tools to be an excellent player and – at 20 – could make the club a healthy profit in the future,” McDermott said.
“He’s worth keeping, unlike £4million Turk Ridvan Yilmaz, who is his understudy. Injuries have curtailed him but he’s been a huge disappointment. His physique and stature were always going to be tested in Scotland.
“MacKenzie is the opposite. He’s reliable, dependable and available every week.”
Rangers to cull Ridvan Yilmaz in January?
The main drawback with Yilmaz has undoubtedly been his injury record, for his ability itself is easily enough to nail down a regular place.
That has at least been the case for large spells of last season, when he made 33 appearances in all competitions, but this term spent a three-month spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
Jefte was the first summer arrival of a major overhaul led by Nils Koppen, a recruitment drive which will carry on into the January market – the youthful Brazilian has had varying effect and has been touted as a better player going forward than on his defensive duties.
Yilmaz is still only 23 and maintains a degree of resale value, with his contract at Ibrox expiring in the summer of 2027. If Rangers act now, they can even look to recoup a profit.
However, this possibility has been severely blighted by his injury record, the latest of which the Turkish international has only recently returned.
The potential signing in question from McDermott – 24-year-old MacKenzie of Aberdeen – has been an ever-present in the Dons’ tremendous season so far.
In other Rangers news, why Philippe Clement will not fancy watching back Todd Cantwell’s goal celebration for Blackburn Rovers.
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