Rangers full-back Ridvan Yilmaz’s performances in the first few weeks of 2025 have been somewhat of a “positive surprise,” to use Philippe Clement’s own words.
Ridvan Yilmaz played a few games on the right-hand side of the Rangers defense during a period when the Belgian has been forced to try and fit square pegs into round holes because of a defensive injury issue (see Ross McCausland playing as a full-back and James Tavernier at center-half).
Ironically, a positional opportunity resulted in what was possibly the best game of his Ibrox career. Rangers’ first game of the year saw them demolish Celtic 3-0, with Ridvan Yilmaz being “outstanding.” He had the most shots of any player, not only going forward but also defensively.
Yilmaz was having none of it, clamping down on the Celtic forward in a vice-like grasp. The wounded Tavernier has had his fill of ragdolling against the unstoppable Daizen Maeda.
The Turkey international has likely never been more crucial to Rangers’ cause because to his newly discovered versatility. Clement referred to Ridvan Yilmaz as a “warrior” after he played as a winger against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League as well. It seems sense that Clement wants to keep him.
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