Giovanni van Bronckhorst has insisted that Ridvan Yilmaz has not been written off by Rangers – and revealed long-term casualty Kemar Roofe is also set for a top-team return.
Van Bronckhorst is likely to freshen up his starting XI for tonight’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final clash with Dundee on the back of a punishing fixture pile-up with both Yilmaz and Roofe coming into contention. The Dutchman dropped a huge hint that £5million summer signing Yilmaz is finally ready to make an impact at Ibrox after spending the first three months of the season out in the cold.
Van Bronckhorst shot down reports that the Turk will be sent back to his homeland on loan when the transfer window reopens in January. And he revealed that striker Roofe – who has not kicked a ball since the campaign began – is another big name in line for game time against Gary Bowyer’s Championship outfit.
Van Bronckhorst confirmed both players could feature as he looks to lighten the workload on some key men in the middle of a bruising Champions League campaign. And he mounted a strong defence of Yilmaz, 21, who has struggled to adjust since his summer move from Beskitas.
The Rangers manager 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.”
Van Bronckhorst also urged director of football Ross Wilson to tie up new contracts with a trio of star men in Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Jack. Asked if he would like their situations to be resolved ahead of the World Cup in Qatar next month he replied: “As a manager, yes, most ideally.
“But it’s up to the players – it’s up to the club – and Ross is busy negotiating and talking. At the moment that is the status.”
The Ibrox boss also called on authorities to clamp down hard on any Motherwell fan identified to have hurled missiles at his players during Sunday’s top flight win at Fir Park. He said: “If you’re in a stadium you’re there to enjoy the game, support your team or even criticise the team if that’s the case but you should never throw anything on the pitch.
“They should be banned for putting players in dangerous situations. Of course they should be punished.”
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