Normally Jonny McFarlane can be relied upon to apply a soothing gloss over whatever misfortunes are going on at Ibrox.
Last summer Giovanni van Bronckhorst was making astute signings to put Ange Postecoglou in his place, in January Micky Beale pulled off master-strokes to sign up Todd Cantwell and Nico Raskin while Sporting Director Ross Wilson was backed until the minute he was off to Nottingham Forest.
A year ago Besiktas starlet Ridvan Yilmaz was signed for £5m with the intention of doing a Calvin Bassey and selling him on to sum mugs a year or two later for £20m or more. A Player Trading Model.
The slightly built Turk immediately looked like a fish out of water, so bad that Borna Barisic kept his place in the team.
Last October, with Micky Beale conveniently watching from the stand, Yilmaz did his hamstring 10 minutes into a match against Aberdeen which ruled him out for three months.
With Barisic now in the last year of his contract the plan has been to promote Yilmaz as first choice but he was badly at fault for one goal against Olympiacos on Wednesday night but these things happen in pre-season matches.
It seems that against Hoffenheim today Yilmaz had another stinker, looking like a lost boy, out of his depth 10 days before a Champions League qualifier.
Big Jonny can normally be relied on to spring to the defence of anything in a Castore kit but it seems that today was a step too far for the Head of Digital Sport at Newsquest Scotland.
As bad as Barisic was on Wednesday, I think Ridvan has been even worse. You’d have to imagine Sterling has to be under serious consideration for that spot at Killie.
— Jonny McFarlane (@jonnyrmcfarlane) July 29, 2023
He’s no been great but Borna was definitely worse during the week
— Steven Wilson (@StevenW1192) July 29, 2023
I agree with the first part. Yilmaz has had a shocker. But, Killie will be too soon. Especially, on that pitch.
— Stevie Ramsay (@sjramsay7) July 29, 2023
Feckin laurel and hardy would be better
— 56 incoming (@BryanSpark2) July 29, 2023
Ridvan’s a bottler in tackles
— Billzebubio (@itsoorbilly) July 29, 2023
Ridvan had been dodgy every game he has played. Looks nervous and unsure about everything he does.
— Adam?????????55????????? (@A_MoffatBITW) July 29, 2023
Bit better in the 2nd half there from Rangers, but the same goals still being lost from full back positions. We have now established Ridvan Yilmaz isn’t any better than Barisic. Who the hell told that wee guy he should be a defender?? Average left winger maybe..
— MD2023 (@maxdufresne77) July 29, 2023
Ridvan Yilmaz-Possibly the worst performance from any player associated with our club.
If I’m Adam Devine I’m chapping the gaffers door asking why I’m not in ahead of these imposters at LB.
— David (@RWM312) July 29, 2023
New left back and centre half required urgently. Barisic is poor but nobody will ever convince me that Ridvan Yilmaz is a better option.
— Craig (@CJW_1983) July 29, 2023
Methinks big MC Farlane fancies himself as an internet influencer ? If he’s punting chocolate biskwits and cheap cakes …that’s fine ! Anything else …then it’s time to stop dreaming ! To think this guy gets to be paid for his gross ineptitude.at journalism .
If we’re being honest we are in the exact same position with Bernabei, an average left winger but defensively shocking and I mean really bad. This guy will never ever do against even half decent teams. Cut your loses Celtic and bring Tierney back home , make it happen.