Former Rangers star Alan Hutton has claimed that selling defender Ridvan Yilmaz would be disappointing.
The Turkish left-back arrived at Ibrox in the summer for around £5m, with the 21-year-old very highly rated at former club Besiktas.
However, he has made just seven appearances in all competitions, including just two starts in the Scottish Premiership, while there have been rumours that Rangers are ready to cut their losses after just half a season, with Galatasaray thought to be interested.
Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton claimed that he would be disappointed to see the defender leave so quickly, and that he hopes he gets a chance to impress under Michael Beale.
“I still think it is a strange one.
“Yilmaz came in and we thought he was really going to hit the ground running. We thought he was going to take over, that would be his position.
“They spent a lot of money on him. He looked like the go-to guy and it did not quite work, but I like what I had seen so far.
“So for there to be talk of him leaving already, it does not sit well. Maybe he is not settling, I do not know, but hopefully Michael Beale can give him that game time when he is fit and we can see the best of him.
“From what I have seen in flashes, there is definitely a player there that can go and affect teams. Hopefully he does stay and get a run in the team.”
TIF Thoughts on Yilmaz and Rangers…
With 30-year-old Borna Barisic established as the first-choice left-back at the club, it was always going to be difficult for Yilmaz to immediately surpass him in the pecking order.
However, we think Hutton is correct that such a talented prospect should not be given up on so quickly, and if he is given an opportunity to shine, he may show why Rangers spent a lot of money on him in the first place.
Barisic has divided opinion of late, and a younger talent overtaking him would be great for the current season and the long-term future at Ibrox.