Ridvan Yilmaz has returned to Rangers training with the rest of the group, but questions around his future remain. The Turkish left-back holds solid market value, yet he finds himself sidelined as Russell Martin starts shaping his team. Despite no confirmed transfer in or out, his omission from the Champions League squad sent a clear signal about Yilmaz’ Rangers future.
There had been whispers over a potential move back to Turkey but no concrete offer emerged. With Rangers fans still unsure about his long-term place at Ibrox, his exclusion from such a key competition has only deepened that uncertainty. Ibrox Noise previously reported that Besiktas retained interest, but nothing materialised before the registration deadline.
Yilmaz cost Rangers a fair sum and has shown flashes of ability, yet the new manager appears to favour other options. Another report noted that the club had no plans to sell him earlier this summer. Still, the fact that Max Aarons and Jefte are now ahead of him paints a frustrating picture for Yilmaz’ Rangers future.. These selections speak volumes about the new system and where Yilmaz might sit in it.
That being said, his reappearance in full training suggests he remains professional and ready to fight for a place. There’s no hint of discontent from the player, and Ibrox Noise recently underlined that Rangers were not in a hurry to move him on. Still, fans and pundits continue to speculate about where this situation ends up.
Yilmaz remains an asset with a strong profile across Europe. He features regularly in discussions about promising defenders with technical ability. It is why top sources outside the UK continue to monitor his situation at Rangers. What remains clear is that, for now, he stays in Glasgow.
Whether Martin reconsiders later in the campaign or the January window provides an opening is yet to be seen. But as things stand, there is no pathway into the starting eleven for Yilmaz. That does not mean his Rangers story is over, but he faces a battle to turn things around.
For now, he trains, waits and watches. That Champions League omission was a message, but what matters now is how Yilmaz responds.
