How Rangers star's future could hinge on Celtic man's transfer decision

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Trabzonspor’s need for a new left-back has been well known amid former Rangers star Borna Barisic’s struggles.

And they are believed to have been looking towards Ibrox for his replacement with an interest in Ridvan Yilmaz.

Manager Şenol Güneş worked with the 23-year-old at Besiktas and is said to be personally pushing for him to be brought in at his new club to plug the gap in that position.

But Yilmaz’s future could hinge on what happens with Barisic, with NK Dinamo taking an interest in him.

Barisic finds himself out of favour at Trabzonspor since a summer move to Turkey from Ibrox.

It’s not just Trabzon who are reportedly interest in Yilmaz, though.

He seems to have constantly been linked with a return to Turkey since moving to Glasgow and Galatasaray have been mentioned again, while Besiktas have now been thrown into the mix.

The whole situation has now had another element added with reports Trabzonspor are also looking at another left-back.

• READ MORE:Rangers 'make contact' over 'intelligent' defender as Patrick Stewart closes in on first signing

Trabzonspor eye Greg Taylor as Yilmaz alternative

And you only have to look across the other side of the city to find that left-back, Celtic’s Greg Taylor.

The Sunday Mail are reporting the Turks now want the Scotland international to replace Barisic as he is out of contract at the end of the season and free to discuss terms.

Taylor has been in talks with Celtic over a new deal but an agreement has not been reached and Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb are also interested.

And the report from the Mail has also added that Espanyol and English Championship teams Hull City and QPR are also keen but that the 27-year-old would prefer to play in Europe if he does leave.

Celtic are eyeing up a return for Kieran Tierney from Arsenal but it’s believed Taylor’s ideal preference would still be to stay.

That could clearly then have a direct impact on Yilmaz’s future as Trabzonspor would then be free to swoop for him if they wanted.

Yilmaz’s recent Rangers form

Because of Rangers‘ spate of recent defensive injuries, Yilmaz has been forced to play on the wrong side at right-back.

His first game doing so was the brilliant derby win and he was one of the better performers on the pitch.

Philippe Clement was thrilled with how well he did and said: "In all the clubs in the world, that can get really positive surprises, and I count on that moment. Like Ridvan was a really positive surprise as a right full-back for example.”

However, after staying in the same position to face Dundee, the Turk was criticised.

"Ridvan Yilmaz has had a night to forget. It's not been great," ex-Rangers striker Rory Loy told BBC Sport.

"He is playing on the wrong side, but he's made a few mistakes."