Graeme Souness claims Ridvan Yilmaz wants to quit Rangers after what he heard
Graeme Souness expects Ridvan Yilmaz to leave Rangers for a Turkish side after hearing the defender is “not terribly settled” in Scotland.
Ridvan was strongly linked with a move away in the January transfer window, but he remained in place and has been in great form ever since.
The 22-year-old continues to be tipped with the exit, however, and former Rangers player and boss Souness can see him departing soon.
Speaking on TRT World [29 March], Souness said: “We’ve got a young guy in Glasgow, Ridvan Yilmaz, who I saw play for Rangers in the Old Firm game three weeks ago, and he was one of the best players on the pitch.
“Unfortunately, from a Rangers perspective, I’m hearing he’s not terribly settled in Scotland and looking to get back here [to Turkey].”
Ridvan Yilmaz transfer latest at Rangers
Had Ridvan departed at the turn of the year, not many would have lost all that much sleep. However, his current injury lay-off puts into perspective how important he has become.
As Souness says, he impressed in the recent Old Firm clash and is now one of Philippe Clement’s go-to men when fit and available.
There has been talk of teams from abroad coming in for the full-back in the summer, but Rangers have to stand firm as Borna Barisic looks set to depart.
If it is true that Ridvan is indeed unsettled in Scotland, then that is a different matter. If a suitable offer is made, then the Gers will have more of a reason to accept it.
In the more short-term, the Gers need to get the defender back up to full speed in time for next week’s visit of Celtic. That game will require Clement to have all of his key men available, which Ridvan now very much is.
In other Rangers news, Nils Koppen has been backed to sign a replacement for a player that Clement would rather keep.
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