Michael Beale reveals Rangers injury fear for Celtic clash as Malik Tillman misses Livingston match
Rangers are facing a race against time to get Malik Tillman fit to face Celtic in the Viaplay Cup Final next Sunday, Michael Beale has revealed.
The American was left out of the line-up to face Livingston on Saturday (18 February), and the manager has explained that it is the latest injury issue that he is dealing with and one that isn’t sure to be sorted for next weekend (26 February).
Tillman joins John Lundstram and Ryan Jack as injury worries, but with the Bayern Munich loanee showing stand out form of late it is a major potential headache for the Light Blues ahead of the Old Firm derby.
The Gers boss told BBC Sportsound, as per Football Scotland: “[Malik] Tillman had a slight problem with his calf and his hamstring. Add that to John Lundstram’s ankle and Ryan Jack having a problem with his calf, it’s not ideal with the schedule we have got right now.
“We couldn’t use him today but hopefully the weekend off helps him be available for next week but that is no means certain at this moment in time.”
Sweat
The cup final is a chance to rescue something tangible from a season that quickly went off the rails, capturing silverware and potentially striking a significant psychological blow to Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Already Beale’s time in charge has restored Rangers as a force to be reckoned with, and only a late equaliser from the Hoops at Ibrox has come between the new boss and a 100% record.
He is tasked with wrestling back supremacy in Scottish football from the Glasgow rivals, so beating them in a cup final to get a first trophy under his belt would be the ideal way to do so.
Tillman has proven his worth of late, and offers quality on the ball in the build up that few in this league can, as well as chipping in with telling goals of his own.
It will be a major blow if he is missing for the final so it is going to be a nervous week for the manager and the supporters, hoping that rest is enough to see him recover in time.
Nine goals and five assists so far this season has made Beale clear he wants to sign Tillman permanently, and if he can feature at Hampden and have a telling impact that would surely help cement that as a priority.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit wants Postecoglou to take the Leeds United job but not for the benefit of the Bears.