Brian Laudrup raves about Malik Tillman, pins hopes on Rangers duo v PSV Eindhoven
Brian Laudrup has showered heaps of praise on Rangers summer signing Malik Tillman, suggesting he has got “excellent” technique.
The former Gers player has suggested it would be massive for Scottish football if Rangers join Celtic in the Champions League group stages, and the Bears are only two games away from doing that.
Rangers will face PSV Eindhoven in the first-leg of the Champions League qualifier at Ibrox, and Laudrup is hoping big game players like John Lundstram and Ryan Kent to step up.
“Against PSV Eindhoven tonight, I will be looking to big-game players such as John Lundstram. When Lundstram plays in European football, he really comes alive. That’s why he is trusted so much on the big occasion by Giovanni van Bronckhorst,” wrote Laudrup in his column for the Scottish Mail (16 August, page 72).
“I would look also at Ryan Kent. We all know that when Kent is fit, he has something that only he at Ibrox can deliver and that’s the ability to take players on, create chances and score goals.
With his tricks and his pace, Kent could be vital. But another player who could have a big say against PSV is young Malik Tillman.
“The 20-year-old scored what proved the decisive goal against Union Saint-Gilloise in the 3-0 win at Ibrox last week as Rangers made history by overcoming a 2-0 deficit to go through 3-2 on aggregate.
“I watched Tillman after the Union game and he looked in awe of Ibrox. He was realising just how big a club Rangers is. Now his confidence is up. He knows he is capable of scoring big goals. After that header against Union, he scored another against St Johnstone in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Ibrox.
“Tillman is a strong boy who is good on the ball. He’s got excellent technique and he’s very, very good in the air, I have to say. He’s got a bit of everything, really. He can take players on and create but in a different way to Kent.”
Massive game
It’s a massive game for the Gers, and they are just two games away from making it into the group stages of the Champions League, not to talk about the £40m windfall would be a huge boost for the club financially.
Last season, we have seen that Rangers are almost unbeatable at Ibrox in European games, and they are capable of taking their game to a new height in European games.
This time, they are playing the first leg at home. They have to take a sizeable lead and make sure they remain tight at the back.
Laudrup is spot on about Tillman. The 20-year-old joined from Bayern Munich in the summer on loan, and he has already made a big impact.
He is exciting to watch, and scored two goals already which will boost his confidence. Ryan Kent has also returned to the squad after being left out in the last match.
Antonio Colak looks in fantastic touch as well, while Van Bronckhorst can bring in Alfredo Morelos to lead the line as well.
In other Rangers news, Celtic and the Gers are at loggerheads over a record-breaking SPFL midfielder and a bid for him has already been tabled.