There was a moment this season where it looked like Ridvan Yilmaz would no longer be a Rangers player.
The Turkish international full-back, 22, was strongly linked with a January move to Galasataray which eventually never materialised.
That turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the defender turned the corner at Rangers following the turn of the year and was crucial to the club’s post winter-break form.
Since a hamstring injury sustained on international duties in March, it’s no surprise that Rangers’ rockiest form under Philippe Clement has come with Ridvan Yilmaz on the sidelines.
But as Rangers recorded an eventually comfortable 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Ibrox, Ridvan made his long-awaited return and now the left-back has sent a message to fans ahead of next week’s crucial Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.
Ridvan ‘happy to be back’ at Ibrox
Replacing the heavily criticised Borna Barisic, Ridvan Yilmaz got 11 minutes to impress at Ibrox.
It could be a crucial 11 minutes too with Barisic clutching his hamstring before heading off the park in the Rangers victory.
With Rangers already potentially set to call on Ben Davies at Celtic Park next weekend, Ridvan Yilmaz is another who could be forced into a fiery Old Firm return when the game rolls around on Saturday.
And the defender was giving little away ahead of next week even if the left-back shared a message on X claiming he’s ‘very happy to be back at Ibrox’.
Rangers face Celtic Park left-back dilemma
It’s certainly good news to have Ridvan Yilmaz back on the pitch in a Rangers jersey.
The Turkish international had begun to repay the some £3.4m rising to £5m Rangers paid to secure his services from Besiktas in 2022.
Injuries have disrupted the defender’s two years in Glasgow – and he’s not alone to be fair – but when Ridvan has played he has shown his qualities.
Rangers fans will know that Philippe Clement’s injury management style probably puts a Celtic Park start at 50/50 but the situation with Borna Barisic certainly raises a few eyebrows.
The left-back has been tormented at the home of our Old Firm rivals in the past and after pulling up v Kilmarnock, may get a bye from the Rangers team next week.
Even if the left-back is fit, it is a huge risk to play Borna Barisic in this game with the Trabzonspor-bound left-back a nervous wreck in these games even when he hasn’t reportedly signed his future to Turkish football.
The question then becomes who comes into the side with Ridvan Yilmaz the natural replacement and Dujon Sterling for the moment preferred on the right-wing.
It’s a head scratcher for Rangers manager Philippe Clement for sure, who will not want to risk losing Ridvan for longer by exposing him to a high intensity match too soon.
And really, they do not get much bigger than a trip to Celtic Park.
