Brian Laudrup drools over Rangers playmaker Malik Tillman, makes transfer admission
Brian Laudrup was heavily impressed with the performance of Rangers midfielder Malik Tillman against Partick Thistle on Sunday (12 February) and has hailed him as a “class” player.
The Bears earned a 3-2 win in the Scottish Cup on Sunday, where Tillman was involved in a controversial goal, which Laudrup describes as “unique” while writing for the Scottish Daily Mail (12 February, page 72).
Tillman joined the Gers in the summer transfer window on loan from Bayern Munich, and the Glasgow giants can sign him permanently for around £5m in the summer. Laudrup says it’s a “no-brainer” for the club to get the deal done, but there could be “potential obstacles”.
“Had it not been for Malik Tillman’s contribution, Rangers might well have become the latest Premiership side to find themselves on the wrong end of a shock in this season’s Scottish Cup,” wrote Laudrup.
“So unique was the nature of his goal — and Partick Thistle’s subsequent walked-in equaliser — that the rest of his performance in a narrow victory could easily have been overlooked.
“But his unwitting dispossession of Kevin Holt, when the Thistle man was attempting to return the ball to Rangers’ defence, was, in fact, merely an unfortunate distraction from a display brimming with class and quality.
“It was Tillman’s brilliant drop of the shoulder that earned his side a penalty in the second half. A slalom into the box near the end eliminated four opposing players before he was finally stopped in his tracks. His bravery, skill and running power marked him out as his side’s best performer.
“The £5million Rangers would require to make him their own is a no-brainer if they can get the deal done. The fact Munich would still need to agree to the sale is one potential obstacle, with the shadow cast by other would-be suitors another.”
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The 20-year-old is a special talent and he can become a world-class player in the future if he justifies his potential.
When he first arrived last summer, he struggled initially to perform consistently. There were odd stellar performances from him, but he went missing in many games under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
However, he has taken his game to a whole new level under Michael Beale. He always used to bring energy in the middle of the park, but now he is making direct contributions with goals and assists to help his side win games as well.
He has managed eight goals and four assists in all competitions so far, but one could clearly see that he is bubbling with confidence at the moment.
Beale has previously hinted that the Gers have a deal in place to sign Tillman permanently and it seems to be a sensible decision.
Rangers were far from their best in the cup clash last week, but they did just enough to secure a win, with James Sands scoring a late winner.
In other Rangers news, the Ibrox bank is set for a cash boost after a document emerged on Wednesday.