Why Ridvan Yilmaz's Rangers inverted full-back role can help solve problems

Possession was often slow and not all that pretty, while a generally drab tempo allowed the visitors to break up the pitch and relieve pressure regularly.

The performance lacked energy and was not the evening of entertainment required after Sunday’s encounter with Motherwell. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side left the pitch to audible boos.

The problems that have persisted in recent weeks were only further illuminated, but there was one positive in the form of Ridvan Yilmaz who showed he can be part of the solution.

As the Rangers Review wrote at length recently, Ridvan’s qualities feel better suited to van Bronckhorst's football than Borna Barisic. The Dutchman wants his defenders to play progressive passes through the pitch and with the return of touchline-hugging wingers in recent weeks, impact the game infield.

If Barisic’s overlapping, cross-heavy style epitomised the first generation of the modern full-back, then Ridvan’s underlapping pass-heavy style epitomises the second.

On Wednesday, it was commonplace to see Ridvan and James Tavernier tuck inside next to John Lundstram.

Without the ball, this should theoretically protect central spaces against counterattacks and support the sole defensive midfielder.

With the ball, it allows the two advanced midfielders to push up and occupy attacking areas, a principle that showed its value for Steven Davis’ goal.

Below, Tavernier and Ridvan have tucked inside next to Lundstram to form a bank of three at the edge of the box.

The wingers stretch the pitch while Davis and Malik Tillman push up next to Alfredo Morelos.

Davis is active in the box as the highest player to head home from Scott Wright’s deflected shot.

Why are Ridvan and Tavernier important in this scenario? They provide the structure behind the two No.8s to facilitate their high positioning.

Throughout the game, the Turkish international constantly looked to play forward and play inside. Something that Barisic has struggled to do this season. Why is this so important in a full-back?

READ MORE: 'Crossing is dead' - Why Ridvan Yilmaz inclusion can solve Rangers' left-side problems

Look at this example in the first minute. As Ridvan gets the ball wide, Tillman’s forward run creates space on the inside and the Dundee marker pushes aggressively to press by the touchline.

It’s far more valuable to ghost inside and eat up central space rather than play a ball up the line to a winger with a man tight to their back. Ridvan has the technical ability to do so and think forwards.

It was rare to see Tavernier or Yilmaz look to play up the line or overlap. Instead by acting as defacto midfielders with the ball and adopting flexible positioning they were able to facilitate increased attacking numbers high up the pitch, allow wingers to pin the opposition wide and impact the game centrally by playing forward passes…

Or making forward runs… 

Ridvan's involvement disrupted the opposition’s defensive block and created space in the process. Rather than playing aimless, safe passes that have been all too common in recent weeks. 

This second-half sequence provides a helpful example.  Ridvan receives a switch of play from Alfredo Morelos after moving infield. Wright is wide on the left, able to get on the ball in space because Cammy Kerr has to stay tight in the back four.

He plays the ball wide and then makes an underlap into the space Kerr vacates, allowing him to test the keeper from close range.

It would be charitable to call any facet of Rangers’ performance last night encouraging. The side’s tempo on and off the ball continues to look below par and the general style not conducive to dominating, attacking football.

However, Ridvan Yilmaz showed he can make a positive contribution in possession from full-back, playing forward passes, making quick, well-timed runs and looking to impact the game in central areas rather than allowing the ball to constantly circle around the opposition shape. He can be part of the solution to the number of problems van Bronckhorst is currently facing.

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