Yilmaz exit: Ferguson and Walker in agreement over Rangers decision
Barry Ferguson and Andy Walker believe that Rangers were right to keep Ridvan Yilmaz in the winter transfer window despite interest from Turkey.
The left-back has been linked with a return to his home country ever since he stepped off the plane at Glasgow with rumours of his return to Besiktas cropping up every window.
Yilmaz has been in decent form this season with Philippe Clement even using the defender at right-back when needed.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (6 February), Ferguson and Walker shared their thoughts on the “outstanding” Yilmaz.
“He’s [Yilmaz] picked up another slight knock but overall I think when he’s been called upon he’s been good and I like the fact that he’s adjusted his position as well because he’s a natural leftie playing on the right and that can be difficult at times,” Ferguson said.
“It’s good to see that he wasn’t interested in moving and that he wants to stay at fight for his position at left-back.”
Walker agreed with Ferguson’s stance and added the following: “One of his better games was obviously against Celtic where you thought that might have been an area that Celtic might have been able to capitalise on.
“But he was outstanding, there was that daft start to the game when he had more shots than Celtic did as a team so yeah I think he’s got a lot to offer.”
Rangers did the right thing by keeping Ridvan Yilmaz
Many names were linked with an Ibrox exit in the winter transfer window with the likes of Yilmaz and Cyriel Dessers among the names mooted to be looking for a way out.
Kieran Dowell and Rabbi Matondo were the two biggest names who left Clement’s team with each of them going on loan to Birmingham and Hannover 96 respectively.
One of the main thorns in the Gers’ side this season has been the lack of defensive back-ups they’ve had with youngsters such as Clinton Nsiala having to fill the voids left by injured players such as James Tavernier and John Souttar.
While Nsiala managed to hold his own when called upon, it feels like if Rangers had got rid of Yilmaz in the winter, they’d have left themselves far too light at the back and would be unlikely to find a suitable replacement in time.
While the Turkey international has chosen to stay put for now, it’s unclear whether anything will happen in the summer but if it does, Rangers need to be ready and have replacements prepared.
In other Rangers news, Craig Moore has shared his thoughts on what the Gers need to improve on behind the scenes.
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