Malik Tillman to return to Rangers training this week, could play v Celtic in Viaplay Cup final
Malik Tillman is expected to return to Rangers training this week following a hamstring injury ahead of their Viaplay Cup final v Celtic on Sunday.
The Old Firm clubs will meet at Hampden Park (26 February) in the cup final, but Tillman missed the weekend win over Livingston (18 February) with a hamstring problem.
However, a report by Football Scotland (20 February) says that he is expected to return to training and manager Michael Beale will ease back him into the squad with an eye on bringing him straight back into the starting lineup for the game.
“Malik Tillman is one star man who has impressed this season so far but he was forced to miss the Livi trip with a hamstring issue which could be playing on the mind before Sunday,” he said.
“It’s likely he’ll train with his teammates but Beale may not wish to overdo it with such a creative talent needed for the weekend.”
Phew
Rangers have got a lot of attacking options right now, and lots of them are playing well – but none of them are Tillman.
The Ibrox loanee has shone this season and has become a fan favourite because of his performances, where he is constantly chipping in with goals and assists as well as moments of magic.
He wasn’t necessarily needed in the win over Livingston so there was no rush to bring him back into the side early, but against a top side like Celtic we will absolutely need to be at our best.
That means we need to have our best players available and he is certainly one of them.
If Tillman is unavailable we will still have enough quality to win the cup final without a doubt with all of Fashion Sakala, Ryan Kent and Todd Cantwell among the options in those positions, but we’ll be worse off.
It can only be a good thing that he is returning to training, and fans will have their fingers crossed that Tillman will be available to add to his eight goals and four assists so far.
In other Rangers news, one star is likely to miss the cup final with Beale unlikely to risk him due to injury.