BBC Sportsound pundit raves about ‘sensational’ Rangers ace Malik Tillman in win v PSV
By Liam Thomas
Giovanni van Bronckhorst had a field of stars on Wednesday evening at the Philips Stadion as Rangers secured a place in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 12 years.
Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson was covering the game for BBC Sportsound and was particularly impressed with one Rangers talent.
It was Colak who grabbed the winner on a historic night for Rangers, but it was 20-year-old forward Malik Tillman who shone the brightest.
“It’s all about Tillman – absolutely superb from him! He sees the pressure PSV are under trying to pop it out from the back. He’s on to the defender in a flash and squares it to Colak for a tap-in. Sensational,” said Thompson on BBC Sportsound on Wednesday night, as quoted on BBC Sport’s matchday blog (24 August, 09:18pm).
Bayern background and Pogba comparisons
Tillman was born in Nuremberg in 2002 and quickly rose through the ranks of the German academy system at Greuther Fürth before joining FC Bayern Munich in 2013.
It was not long before the youngster became a pivotal part of the German juggernauts’ youth side; captaining the U15s.
However, it was during the 2019/2020 season where Tillman came of age; providing 20 goal contributions for Bayern’s U19s side.
German national team head coach Hansi Flick quickly saw the youngster’s potential and promoted him to Bayern’s first team; where he was subsequently handed a new contract until 2024.
Speaking to German news outlet Sport Bild, Tillman compared his style of play to Juventus midfielder and World Cup winner Paul Pogba.
“When I play as a No.8 or No.10 [in central midfield], my playing style is similar to Paul Pogba’s.”
Tillman’s loan will come to an end at Rangers in 2024, but the promise he has shown in such little time at Ibrox must have fans licking their lips at what is to come.
In other Rangers news, Calvin Bassey reacted on Instagram to Rangers’ win over PSV.