What’s happened to Ridvan Yilmaz at Rangers? From transfer hype to baffling exit rumours in just 3 months

"A modern, attacking full-back, Rangers supporters can look forward to seeing Yilmaz further strengthen Gio van Bronckhorst’s first team squad."

Not the verdict of a pundit or a scout report, but Rangers' own take on the signing of Ridvan Yilmaz just under three months ago. Fast forward to mid-October and fans are beginning to wonder just how long they'll have to wait. The Turkish international left-back arrived to considerable fanfare after a deal was negotiated with Besiktas and that excitement was reflected in how Rangers trumpeted his capture, the announcement listing Yilmaz's impressive early career CV which includes a SuperLig title and experience in the Champions League, not to mention full international caps at just 21.

Ross Wilson revealed both he and Van Bronckhorst had earmarked a "high-potential and high-quality left back" as a transfer priority and in Yilmaz they appeared to have struck gold. £5million is no small outlay for the Ibrox club but they'd secured a highly-coveted young footballer who, as was widely agreed, had the tools to rise even higher in time.

His addition also promised to add freshness to a position in need. Borna Barisic enjoyed his most consistent season in Rangers ' 2020/21 title win but the Croat's tendency for highly variable runs of form has always been a cause for concern. The much-parodied moment he turned to stone and allowed Liel Abada to drift past him and score came to epitomise the back half of last season - Rangers watching on as Celtic nipped in to wrestle back the Premiership title.

It'd be unfair to ignore Barisic's contribution in taking Rangers to the Europa League Final but the arrival of a new campaign has brought fresh criticism. Watching the 29-year-old, there's a