Rangers’ left-back situation has been making headlines for a variety of reasons in recent days, with former and current players experiencing contrasting fortunes. From Borna Barisic’s nightmare debut in Spain to Jefte’s costly mistake in the Scottish Cup and Ridvan Yilmaz reaffirming his commitment to the club, there’s been no shortage of drama surrounding the position.

Borna Barisic’s Injury Blow in Spain

Former Rangers left-back Borna Barisic has had an incredibly unfortunate start to his time at Leganes. The Croatian international, who only recently joined the La Liga side from Trabzonspor, suffered a devastating injury just minutes into his debut, rupturing his cruciate ligaments. The injury is expected to keep him out for the remainder of 2025, and he now faces a long and arduous recovery process. This is a cruel blow for a player who had been hoping to resurrect his career in Spain after a difficult spell in Turkey.

Barisic was a key figure at Rangers for several seasons, particularly during their title-winning campaign under Steven Gerrard, but inconsistency and defensive lapses saw him fall down the pecking order. His move to Trabzonspor never truly took off, and now, with a serious injury setback, his future in European football looks uncertain.

Jefte’s Struggles at Rangers

Meanwhile, back in Glasgow, current Rangers left-back Jefte has also been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. After already being criticized for his role in Manchester United’s dramatic late winner at Old Trafford in the Europa League, he once again found himself at fault as Rangers suffered one of the biggest upsets in Scottish Cup history.

Rangers’ shocking defeat to Queen’s Park has piled pressure on Philippe Clement’s side, and Jefte’s defensive errors have only added to the frustration. For a player who arrived with high expectations, his performances have been erratic, with moments of promise overshadowed by costly mistakes.

Interestingly, Jefte was a long-term target for Rangers, with the club first attempting to sign him months before a deal was finalized with Fluminense. However, had Rangers succeeded in securing Dutch left-back Anass Salah-Eddine from Ajax back in January 2024, Jefte might never have arrived at Ibrox.

Anass Salah-Eddine: The One That Got Away?

Salah-Eddine was on Rangers’ radar over a year ago, but instead of moving to Scotland, he opted to stay in Dutch football with FC Twente. That decision proved to be the right one for his career. Twente finished third in the Eredivisie, securing European football and giving Salah-Eddine a platform to impress against top opposition.

His performances against clubs like Manchester United, Lazio, and Fenerbahce caught the attention of bigger teams, and within a year, he secured a move to AS Roma in a deal worth over £8 million.

Had Rangers managed to sign Salah-Eddine, they might never have pursued Jefte. Given Jefte’s struggles and the fact that Chelsea is now reportedly monitoring him, Rangers could find themselves back in the market for a left-back in the near future. However, any lingering hopes of signing Salah-Eddine are now gone, with the Dutchman embarking on a new chapter in Italy.

Ridvan Yilmaz: The Long-Term Solution?

While Jefte’s future remains uncertain, Ridvan Yilmaz has taken steps to establish himself as a key player for Rangers. The Turkish left-back recently committed his future to the club, dismissing speculation linking him with a return to Turkey.

Yilmaz’s versatility has been crucial for Philippe Clement this season, as he has not only played at left-back but also filled in on the right and further forward in a more attacking role. His development has been impressive, especially considering that just a year ago, there were doubts about whether he would make it at Rangers following his £3.5 million move from Besiktas.

With Yilmaz improving and Jefte’s future uncertain, Rangers may still need to reassess their left-back options. If Chelsea does make a move for Jefte, Rangers will have a decision to make—do they reinvest in a new signing, or put their full faith in Yilmaz as their long-term solution?

Rangers’ Growing Connection with FC Twente

Interestingly, Rangers and FC Twente have developed an unexpected connection in recent years. The Dutch club, which Salah-Eddine joined before moving to Roma, has become a common link between the two sides.

Rangers currently have three former FC Twente players in their squad—Robin Propper, Vaclav Cerny, and Danilo. The trio have played key roles this season, while Sam Lammers, who struggled at Ibrox, now leads the line for Twente.

Had Salah-Eddine chosen Rangers in 2024, he would have added to the growing list of Twente players in Glasgow. However, with his move to Roma now completed, Rangers will have to look elsewhere if they decide to strengthen at left-back.

What’s Next for Rangers?

With Barisic’s career now in limbo, Jefte under scrutiny, and Salah-Eddine thriving in Italy, Rangers’ left-back situation remains an area of uncertainty. Ridvan Yilmaz’s progress is encouraging, but if Chelsea follows through with their reported interest in Jefte, Rangers may find themselves in the market for reinforcements once again.

It’s a position that has seen plenty of movement in recent years, and given the way things are unfolding, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Rangers are once again searching for answers in the summer transfer window.