Rangers accused of Ridvan Yilmaz mistake amid latest transfer update
Rangers are moving closer to parting ways with Ridvan Yilmaz.
The Ibrox club has reached an agreement with Besiktas for them to sign the Turkish full-back.
It was made clear that Yilmaz wouldn’t be part of Russell Martin’s plans when his squad number was given to loan signing Max Aarons.
It took a while to agree a suitable transfer fee with Besiktas, but it now seems Yilmaz will seal a deal with his former club in the next few days.
This article includes exclusive comment from former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson
Yilmaz finally set to part ways with Rangers
Rangers signed Yilmaz from Besiktas in the summer of 2022. He has made 77 appearances in three seasons for the Light Blues.
His time at Ibrox has been marred by injuries and inconsistent form.
However, former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson believes it was a mistake to sign him in the first place.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, he said: “It was a mistake bringing him in. He’s never been one of my favourites. There were others in Scottish football at the time that could have done as good a job.
“He was touted with a move to Turkey within six months of arriving here. I don’t know him personally, but he’s another that needs moving on at what will be a loss.
“Rangers will surely take any fee they can get for him now because he’s not in the picture under Russell Martin. He’s come over here, it’s not worked out, and the quicker he leaves the better.”
Player sales will be crucial to maintaining squad harmony at Rangers
New Rangers boss Martin has been given a huge transfer war chest and has used it to recruit several new players at Ibrox.
The playing squad is now looking rather bloated now, and Martin will be encouraged to identify the players he has no intention of using this season.
| Ridvan Yilmaz Rangers statistics | |
| Signed | July 2022 |
| Appearances | 77 |
| Goals | 2 |
The goal will be to sell as many of these unwanted players as possible before the transfer window closes. This will not only balance the books, but it also helps to maintain squad harmony.
The last thing that any football manager needs is a bunch of unhappy players moping around in training because they’re never being picked.
The sale of Yilmaz is a good start, but there are several other players in Martin’s squad who would be better off elsewhere.
Robin Propper, Jose Cifuentes and Hamza Igamane are three players that Martin will be particularly keen to move on.
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