Ridvan Yilmaz 'evaluated' amid Rangers waiting game as Trabzonspor join Galatasaray in plotting Ibrox escape route

Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz is reportedly being "evaluated" by Trabzonspor with Galatasaray also named as a potential suitor.

The 21-year-old made a bumper £5.5m move from Besiktas in the summer but has struggled to make any impact at Ibrox following the deal, having so far failed to displace Gio van Bronckhorst 's first-choice left-back Borna Barisic this season. The Turkish international has made just four appearances since his move, most recently making an appearance off the bench in the 4-0 rout of St Mirren as he enjoyed a 10-minute cameo.

His most recent start came in the Premier Sports Cup win over Queen of the South on August 30, and eyebrows have been raised by the Rangers support over the deal to bring Yilmaz to the Scottish Premiership this term. According to reports in Turkey two Super Lig clubs are now evaluating their left-back options as they weigh up a January approach to Ibrox chiefs over a loan move.

Medyatava report that Trabzonspor boss Abdullah Avci views the full-back as the perfect competition for Eren Elmali, with the side currently languishing in seventh in the table. Galatasaray are also looking for a left-back having struggled to fill the problem position throughout a lacklustre campaign.

They note that Yilmaz is considered part of the "long-term plans" at Ibrox despite his lacklustre start at Rangers. It is claimed that the Scottish Premiership side "did not respond positively" to previous interest emerging from Turkey ahead of the January window.

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