PHILIPPE Clement has revealed that Ridvan Yilmaz will only be allowed to leave Rangers if the Ibrox club can bring in another left back during the January transfer window.
Speculation has abounded in recent days that Turkish internationalist will depart and he has been strongly linked with both Galatasaray in his homeland and Hellas Verona in Italy.
But Clement, whose team will be involved in the Europa League, cinch Premiership and Scottish Cup when competitive play resumes after the winter break, stressed that he only has one other fit player in his position, Borna Barisic.
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Asked about Yilmaz’s future, he said: “I cannot respond on that for any player who is here. I am busy with one thing. Everybody who is here is a player of Rangers and I commit fully with all the staff to get the best out of them.
“But for every player at Rangers if there comes an offer that cannot be refused or is a good thing for the club then we need to discuss it. At the moment that is not the case. Ridvan is here and he started the game.
“We will see. Players also need to show they really want to be here in the next couple of months. We need to be prepared for everything, for every position also and make sure that we have solutions.
“That is one position that we have two players. One is end of contract, the other one there is a lot of rumours around. So it is clear that we need to be ready for that position. We cannot go on in three competitions with one left full-back. That is correct. And in other positions it is the same.”
Clement has made just one new signing this month – Portuguese forward Fabio Silva has joined on loan from Wolves until the end of the season.
The Belgian, whose team held Danish opponents Copenhagen to a 2-2 draw in Govan this evening, stressed the recruitment team at the Glasgow giants was working tirelessly to bring in more players.
The Rangers manager, who was pleased with the performance of his charges in the meeting with rivals who have been the surprise package in the Champions League this term, stated that he is hopeful of bringing in more fresh faces before the window closes.
READ MORE: Clement reveals double Rangers injury blow to Sterling and Dowell
“Yes, everybody is aligned about that,” he said. “We need a few more in certain positions. I know everybody in the club who is involved in that is working day and night about that. We are in contact a lot.
“It has been really busy with those things, but until a signature is set by three parties, the player, us and the other team, it is not done. So I am waiting and I am focused on the players who are here.
“Besides all the talks that we are having with players, I am looking at other players. That is my job to do in January. That is why for every manager when it is February 1 we are always very happy that this hectic period is over.”
Asked if he thought Rangers were getting closer to making more new signings, Clement said: “What is closer? As long as there is not a deal you are not closer or further away. There are some things close, but it needs to be finished.
"I hear every detail about everything that is coming closer to signing or not. I know everybody is working day and night.
"I'm not frustrated. I want the best for the club, the best for the group and I know everyone's working really hard for that. If it's tomorrow, or the 31st of January, that's difficult because we don't control those things."
"Everyone is giving everything for the club. This is our main force for the moment. Everyone is there for the team, not for themselves. If someone thinks for himself, he will not be part of the team to start.
"The most important thing for me was that we had with almost all the players individual talks. It's been the most honest, open and fruitful talks I've had with the squad, about what they think and what they can do better. It was super interesting."
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