The Nottingham Forest captain was handed his first starting appearance of the season for Saturday’s meeting at the City Ground and responded with a typically committed performance as the home side ended their wait for a Premier League victory on home soil.
But his contribution had begun before kick-off. Glasner revealed that Yates addressed the players in the dressing room before they took to the pitch, and the manager was left hugely impressed by what he heard.
“The last words before we go out are from the captain to the team, so Ryan Yates spoke this time,” Glasner explained.
“I played more than 500 games as a player. I managed 500 games as a manager. I've never heard such an inspiring speech to the team, so it's credit to him.”
Glasner had several reasons for bringing Yates into the starting line-up. Dan Ndoye had endured an interrupted week through injury and illness, while the manager also wanted greater control in the central areas against a Manchester City side capable of dominating possession.
“First of all, Dan Ndoye didn't train last week, but I played him, then he had a cold during the week and he missed another training session. Since he came back from the last international break, he was always suffering - it was the calf, the hamstring, cold.
“Then I was thinking, okay, what is the demand in this game? It was to control the pocket.
“Then the second thing is, okay, maybe the most passionate player we have, who has been playing for 20 years for Forest, with the biggest and best connection, should start. Ryan had a good half at Brentford, almost scoring a goal, and he had a very good training week.”
Yates’ inclusion also allowed James McAtee to operate in a more advanced position, with Forest needing additional support against the threat of Jeremy Doku.
“That's why I decided to play James McAtee a little bit higher, because also they have Jeremy Doku on the wing and you always need to double up against Doku. I don't know any defender who can defend him one-v-one. James McAtee is one of our best players. It was a little bit tactically, but it was especially his mentality and his character.”
Forest made an outstanding start, with Jair Cunha opening the scoring in the sixth minute before Liam Delap doubled the advantage 12 minutes later. Rayan Cherki pulled one back for Manchester City shortly after half-time, but Delap struck again in the 73rd minute to secure the points.
Yates nearly added his own name to the scoresheet, seeing a deflected effort clip the crossbar. His influence was nevertheless central to a performance that lifted Forest out of the relegation zone.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis was also present at the City Ground for the first time this season. Glasner joked that his attendance might explain the team’s previous difficulties at home.
“I said to him, ‘Now I know why we didn't score and win at home - because you have never been here!’ I said, ‘When did you decide to come?’, because he didn't tell me that he would come. He said, ‘I always decide in the morning’ - so hopefully next time he comes again.”
For Forest, the victory was about more than three points. Yates’ return to the starting line-up, his leadership before kick-off and the team's response on the pitch provided a welcome reminder of the spirit Glasner wants his players to show.