REPORTS in Turkey have suggested that Besiktas are exploring a loan move for Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz.

The youngster moved to Ibrox from the Super Lig club in the summer but since his arrival he has struggled for game time.

Yilmaz has make just a handful of appearances to date and recently picked up an injury, which has ruled him out of first-team squads.

Now Turkish outlet FotoMac state that Besiktas are looking to bring their former defender back in a loan move this coming January until the end of the season.

They are currently playing West Ham loanee Arthur Masuaku on the left side of defence but he has failed to impress.

The report also states that Yilmaz "wants" to exit Rangers in January and a loan move home could suit him to build some confidence.

Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has defended Yilmaz's start to life in Glasgow and insisted that he will be a big player at Ibrox.

He said: “How many players do you see who move for £70m or £80m and are still adapting to their clubs? And yet every time we have players who need to adapt it’s a problem?

“For him, it’s a really big step. First he needs to adapt to that and adapt to new team-mates, a new playing style and new tactics. But he is much closer now to starting than he was a few months ago. So for me, there is no debate about loaning him out or anything.

"Nothing. I’m happy with his development. I can see a difference now from the Ridvan who came and the Ridvan at the moment. He is in a much better place and that’s why we gave him some minutes again –because he’s doing well."

Vice chairman John Bennett also defended the transfer of the young Turkish international.

He added: “I know there is quite a lot of noise about that (summer transfers) on the back of those two unacceptable performances in particular, some of it justified and, as always, some of it, I think, less justified.

“I learned long ago not to judge a new Rangers player within weeks. I go way back over my life as a Rangers supporter, I have probably seen more players take time to settle than those who hit the ground running.

“Others haven’t hit the ground running for various reasons. We are six or so weeks into the season, I won’t judge a player in that period of time. I have learned to wait a bit longer. We haven’t seen enough of them, I think we will see them.

“If you look at another young player who we have signed, Yilmaz, yes we spent significant money on that transfer. We signed him for five years. I won’t wait five years to judge him but nor will I do it after five weeks.”

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