Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed summer recruit Ridvan Yilmaz is 'much closer' to landing Rangers first-team minutes than he was when he arrived.
The Light Blues gaffer shelled out a reported £5million fee to land the full-back from Turkish outfit Besiktas. It was expected he would go into the side for Borna Barisic but the Croatian has been a consistent pick under the Dutchman with Yilmaz struggling for any real game time this term so far.
He's only managed four appearances in all competitions with his only start and 90 minutes arriving in the Premier Sports Cup win over Queen of the South. Rangers host Dundee tonight in the same competition and the 21-year-old will be hoping he gets the chance of a run out and opportunity to impress.
READ MORE: Rangers vs Dundee on TV: Channel, kick-off time and live stream details for Premier Sports Cup clash
His lack of action at Rangers has prompted rumours of a return to his homeland during the January transfer window on a loan deal with Galatasaray one of the teams believed to be keen. However, Van Bronckhorst admits he is closing in on action and there is 'no debate' about loaning him out as he quashed the rumour mill.
The Rangers boss said: “How many players do you see who move for £70m or £80m and are still adapting to their clubs? And yet every time we have players who need to adapt it’s a problem?
“It’s not a problem – it’s just the way we have to deal with the different circumstances. For him it’s different than for Tom Lawrence or Rabbi Matondo. They are used to living in the UK so it’s no problem for them.
“For him, it’s a really big step. First he needs to adapt to that and adapt to new team-mates, a new playing style and new tactics. But he is much closer now to starting than he was a few months ago. So for me, there is no debate about loaning him out or anything. Nothing.
“I’m happy with his development. I can see a difference now from the Ridvan who came and the Ridvan at the moment. He is in a much better place and that’s why we gave him some minutes again –because he’s doing well.
“So we will continue his development and he is much closer to playing in the first team at the moment. We have to make sure he understands the tactics and where to be in certain moments.
“For him that’s important because he didn’t speak good English when he came. He’s improving that so he’s able to communicate with his team-mates. These are things you have to take into account before we let him play.”
READ NEXT:
- Watch former Rangers and Hibs star Jason Cummings score stunning lob as VAR denies overhead kick
- Leon King Rangers red card query as Motherwell boss says 'poor' tackle could have caused injury
- Rangers player ratings v Motherwell as King shows Goldson cover credentials and Tillman shines
- Three things we learned as Rangers cast Liverpool blues aside with Lundstram header at Motherwell
