DON’T GET RID OF HIM
Transfer target Yilmaz proves worth with super strike
RIDVAN YILMAZ is not leaving Rangers until Philippe Clement finds a replacement.
At this rate, it might be wise not to let him go at all.
Yilmaz has been the subject of interest from Italy and Turkey during the wheelings and dealings of this month’s transfer window.
But the 22-year-old remains in place for now and delivered his first Premiership strike of the season to set Clement’s team on the road to success in Edinburgh.
It was a finish as sublime as the set-up by John Lundstram and bettered only by Todd Cantwell’s sizzler on the stroke of half-time.
Clement first arrived into this title fight last October with a whirlwind whipping of Hibs.
Stepping out into stage two of the battle, the Belgian gave them another buffeting to suggest his Rangers side won’t be blown off course in the hunt for the crown.
His side were in control at the interval with a two-goal lead but it was Hibs who had the first sighter as Jack Butland saved from home attacker Elie Youan.
Clement had freshened up his attack with Fabio Silva getting a maiden start and he had an early opportunity.
Rabbi Matondo took out Kanayo Megwa with a surging run and his low cross was knocked wide of target by the Portuguese.
Hibs had a decent enough share of possession in that first spell with some neat passing but while they weren’t asking many questions of Butland, Rangers looked to possess more purpose and potential punch.
That was epitomised just prior to the half-hour when they cut through their hosts and took the lead.
The goal was as much about the vision and execution of Lundstram who ended a forceful run with a sensational lobbed pass straight into Yilmaz’s advancing run.
He took an assured first touch and rifled a near-post finish beyond David Marshall.
Butland was forced to punch away a Jair Tavares effort and Youan also forced him into a tip over before Cantwell’s fabulous strike doubled Rangers’ lead, the midfielder lashing a brilliant shot beyond Marshall.
Cantwell didn’t reappear after the break but Rangers picked up where they left off and Matondo shot wide. But eight minutes into the half it took an outstanding stop from Butland to preserve their cushion.
Youan’s pullback was perfect for Hertha Berlin loanee Myziane Maolida but the keeper spread himself superbly to save.
However, the last word went to Cyriel Dessers. On for just seconds as a sub, he angled his way into the box after Hibs were caught trying to play out from the back and reversed a clever finish into the net.