Ridvan Yilmaz’s performances in the early weeks of 2025 have been a major talking point at Rangers, with Philippe Clement himself describing the Turkish full-back as a “positive surprise.” At a time when Rangers have been plagued by defensive injuries, Yilmaz has stepped up in a way few expected. The Belgian manager has been forced to experiment with his backline, moving James Tavernier to centre-back and even deploying winger Ross McCausland as a makeshift full-back. Amid all this chaos, Yilmaz’s adaptation has been one of the most notable success stories.

Perhaps the biggest testament to his improvement came in Rangers’ 3-0 victory over Celtic at the start of the year. It was a result that sent shockwaves through Scottish football, not just for the scoreline but for the manner in which Rangers dominated the game. Yilmaz was at the heart of it. Not only was he a threat going forward—registering the most shots of any player on the pitch—but he also played a key defensive role. In recent years, Celtic’s Daizen Maeda has terrorized Rangers, frequently exposing Tavernier’s defensive vulnerabilities. But against Yilmaz, it was a different story. The Turkish international was aggressive, disciplined, and tenacious, neutralizing one of Celtic’s most dangerous attacking threats.

Clement has since described Yilmaz as a “warrior,” a player who is willing to sacrifice and adapt for the benefit of the team. His versatility has been another key factor in his newfound importance. He has not only played at left-back and right-back but even featured as a winger in Rangers’ Europa League clash against Tottenham Hotspur. In many ways, Yilmaz’s performances in recent weeks have likely ensured he is no longer considered expendable.

However, as always seems to be the case, speculation about a return to Turkey has resurfaced. Besiktas, the club from which Rangers signed Yilmaz two and a half years ago, have been linked with a move. Reports in Turkey claim that Besiktas are keen to bring their former player back, but financial limitations pose a significant obstacle. Rangers reportedly paid £3.4 million for Yilmaz, and with his contract running until 2027 and his performances improving, they are unwilling to part ways with him for anything less than £4 million. Besiktas, now managed by former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, are operating on a restricted budget of just £2.5 million for the January window. As a result, they have attempted to negotiate a loan deal with a future purchase option—a proposal that Rangers have flatly rejected.

From a business standpoint, Rangers’ stance is understandable. Selling Yilmaz for anything close to what they initially paid for him would have made sense a few months ago when he struggled for consistency and wasn’t a guaranteed starter. But now, with his growing influence and positional flexibility, Rangers are rightly demanding a profit if they are to even consider letting him leave.

Philippe Clement himself has been quick to shut down any suggestions that Yilmaz will depart in January. The rumors gained traction when the player posted an Instagram story that appeared to show him in Istanbul, leading to speculation that he was negotiating a return to Besiktas. However, Clement was quick to clarify that Yilmaz had only traveled to Turkey due to a minor injury, which ruled him out of Rangers’ 3-1 victory over Dundee United. The manager dismissed any notions of a departure, insisting that the player remains firmly in his plans.

From a Celtic perspective, Yilmaz’s resurgence is an unwelcome development. Over the past couple of years, Rangers have struggled to find a reliable option at left-back, with Borna Barisic declining in form and Yilmaz failing to make a consistent impact. However, if Yilmaz can maintain the levels he showed in the Old Firm clash, he could become a key player for Rangers in the second half of the season. His ability to nullify Maeda was particularly notable, given how often the Japanese winger has caused problems for Rangers in recent derbies.

That said, there is still the question of whether this form is sustainable. Yilmaz has struggled with consistency since arriving at Ibrox, and it remains to be seen whether this is simply a short-term boost in confidence or the start of a genuine transformation. If he continues to impress, Rangers will likely hold firm on their asking price, and Besiktas may need to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements.

For Celtic, the focus will be on responding in the upcoming fixtures and ensuring that the derby defeat does not derail their title ambitions. While Rangers may have had their moment at Ibrox, the real test will be whether they can sustain their challenge over the course of the season. If Celtic can bounce back and reassert themselves in the title race, the impact of Yilmaz’s performances may ultimately prove to be a footnote rather than a defining moment.