Malik Tillman missed out on USA World Cup squad despite ‘massive reputation’ due to Rangers form – pundit
We’re delighted to welcome Tam McManus as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Malik Tillman missed out on a spot in the USA’s World Cup squad because he hasn’t played well enough for Rangers this season, according to Tam McManus.
Tillman, 20, joined the Gers on loan from Bayern Munich in the summer and despite getting off to a good start in Scotland, the German-born USA international’s form dipped considerably from September onwards.
McManus believes that if the attacking midfielder was to have consistently done well at Ibrox, he’d have made the US squad for the World Cup in Qatar, where they reached the round of 16.
Tillman scored twice against Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly match at Ibrox at the weekend and is also in contention to start against Hibernian as the Scottish Premiership resumes on Thursday (15 December.
“It was great for Malik Tillman to get two goals,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“He came to Ibrox with a massive reputation.
“Apart from that great goal against Motherwell when he ran through, he’s not done enough.
“I think he’s been watching the World Cup. If he’d done better for Rangers, he might have gotten into the USA squad.
“He’s another guy Michael Beale will be trying to get more out of and he can start on Thursday [against Hibernian].”
Tillman has played 23 times in all competitions since joining Rangers on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.
He’s scored four goals and supplied three assists with his most recent goal being the winner against Hearts at Ibrox on 9 November.
In other Rangers news, an out-of-court agreement could be reached for the Gers as documents have been submitted.