TURKEY icon Hamit Altintop last night launched a fierce on-air defence of Rangers full-back Ridvan Yilmaz.

The Turkey Football Federation board member rushed to defend Yilmaz after his position in the national team was questioned.

Following a 2-1 defeat to the Faroe Islands, questions were asked of Yilmaz as the defender failed to make an appearance for his country in the international break.

The Ibrox summer signing has not played a lot of game time for Rangers this season, featuring just three times so far.

And after being left on the bench for Turkey, Yilmaz was the centre of criticism from pundits with a TRT Sport contributor commenting the defender is being ‘carried like a bag’.

Ex-Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ace Altintop hit back at the criticism as he defended Yilmaz over his move to Glasgow.

The Turkey chief cited the major change from life in Turkey to moving to Scotland and adapting at a new club.

And Altintop called on the senior players and Turkey's wider management to give Yilmaz the support to succeed for club and country.

He said: "Don't we see that Ridvan has entered into a culture and language change?

"We are talking about months (after the transfer to Rangers).

"I hope the senior players will show him the right path, give (Yilmaz) courage and self-confidence.

"They (young players) need us. They say to us, I hope they show us the right way, they say it will help me.

"We are striving for them. We want to play well. Want want them to say if I am talented, I can be successful with this determination.

"They should say that I can come to the right places."