Ridvan Yilmaz encourages Rangers to stay humble ahead of Fenerbahce second leg

Ridvan Yilmaz insists Rangers should stay “humble” following their stunning 3-1 Europa League win over Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday night.

The 23-year-old Turkey international was born in the city and came through the ranks at Beşiktaş before breaking into the first team and subsequently moving to Ibrox in 2022.

Primarily a left-back Yilmaz began the game again out of position on the other side of the pitch and contributed to a terrific performance which belied the Govan club’s domestic strife this season.

Striker Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring against Fenerbahce after just six minutes – and remarkably would later have two goals ruled out for offside.

Home substitute Alexander Djiku then levelled for Jose Mourinho’s side on the half-hour mark but the visitors were not to be denied a famous win with Czech Republic winger Vaclav Cerny scoring  a brace to put Rangers in control.

Both interim Rangers boss Barry Ferguson and Mourinho were keen to state that the tie was far from over and Yilmaz concurred, telling RangersTV: “I’m proud of my team-mates.

“I have lot of good memories in this place and I’m so happy to add one more.

“It’s a fantastic win. But we need to be humble, we have a second game, after a good result in the away game

“The manager is proud of us as well.

“He knows everything about the club, he was a player as well.

“We are so happy to win but we have one more game and I hope we go through.”

Yilmaz was happy to be supported by his family on his trip back to Istanbul but reiterated his mantra ahead of the home game in Glasgow next week.

He said:  “It wasn’t the best game for me. But the most important thing was to win.

“I give my everything for my team-mates and also my family was here. So I’m sure they are also happy about also the result.

“It was the first time my mum has watched me live playing for Rangers so I am so happy for her as well.

“We should be humble, we got a good result in the away game and I hope we get it at Ibrox as well.”