Rangers Football Club has boasted a rich history of fantastic left-backs in my lifetime from Arthur Numan, Sasa Papac and for much of his time Borna Barisic. However, as with any team, there are always areas that require improvement. One such area is the left-back position, currently occupied by Borna Barisic. In this article I will explore why it is time for Ridvan Yilmaz to either get the chance to step up and replace Barisic as Rangers first choice left back or be moved on. Even though Yilmaz arrived for what Rangers would class as big money at £5min the summer of 2022 he has yet to make his mark on a consistent basis due to niggling injuries, loss of form and getting used to play in a different country. There is no doubt he has talent and hopefully we can see him flourishing this season and making that slot his own.

Youthful Potential

At just 22 years old, Ridvan Yilmaz represents the future of Rangers. He displayed immense potential throughout his time at Besiktas and for his national team, catching the eye of fans and coaches alike. Yilmaz's impressive performances were enough for the very much maligned Ross Wilson to spend a big chunk of our transfer budget on him in 2022. It is vital for the club to nurture young talent and give them opportunities to shine and sell on for a profit as that is our business model.

Versatility and Adaptability

Yilmaz's versatility is a major asset that sets him apart from Barisic. While Barisic is a solid enough left-back, Yilmaz offers greater adaptability, as he is equally comfortable playing as a left wing back or left midfielder. This flexibility would allow Rangers to switch formations seamlessly without compromising defensive solidity or attacking threat. Yilmaz's ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him an exciting prospect for the left back role even though he is slightly smaller than left-backs we have had before but as Phillip Lahm the Bayern Munich and Germany legend showed you don’t need to be tall to be a great left back. Now in no way am I comparing the two but I’m not writing Yilmaz off either at the moment. Although his crossing at times is not as good as Barisic who we all know has a wand of a left foot but defensively is very suspect at times and makes big mistakes in big games. I think with work on the training ground his delivery into the box will improve.

Hunger for Success

Yilmaz's hunger for success is evident in his performances and attitude on the pitch. He consistently displays determination, work rate, and a strong desire to improve. Yilmaz's hunger is fuelled by the opportunity to represent Rangers and contribute to bringing success to the club and his love for the club and fans is clear to see in his social media posts. Beale should be giving him the chance to replace Barisic and provide him with the platform to allow him to thrive and be the best he can be for Rangers.

Attacking Impetus

While Barisic has been a reliable figure at left-back, Yilmaz possesses an added attacking impetus that can take Rangers to the next level. Yilmaz's presence on the left flank would stretch opposing defences, create more goal scoring opportunities, and add a fresh dynamic to Rangers' attacking arsenal, as we saw in the last five games of last season when Yilmaz really impressed and looked like he put his injury troubles behind him.

Long-Term Investment

Investing in Yilmaz's development and giving him regular game time would not only benefit Rangers in the present, but also secure their left-back position for years to come. By providing him with the opportunity to grow alongside experienced players, Yilmaz can continue to refine his skills, gain valuable experience, and become an integral part of the team's long-term plans. This investment in youth would ensure a sustainable future for Rangers and maintain their competitive edge.

In conclusion Yilmaz has all the talent to make a name for himself at Rangers even though he has had his injury trouble and loss of form at times. Michael Beale though seems really reluctant to drop Borna Barisic who is perceived as his first choice in that position given that Yilmaz is not in even in the European squad. This made the decision to play him against St Johnstone even more baffling as was the noticeable fact he was getting in great positions but there seemed a reluctance at times to give him the ball as Goldson seemed to always play it to the right hand side which was frustrating to watch to but as we know with Michael Beale he can be baffling and contradictive in what he says and what he does. It might of been because Barisic was on international duty and wanted to rest him for Real Betis? Or that he might give Yilmaz more opportunities domestically? Only time will tell.