Michael Stewart blasts Malik Tillman in Rangers 2-1 loss v Celtic, says Michael Beale will be concerned
Michael Stewart has slammed Malik Tillman for his uninfluential performance in the Viaplay Cup Final and believes Rangers manager Michael Beale will be concerned about the ease of Celtic’s dominance in midfield.
The Old Firm rivals locked horns at Hampden Park in a first chance to gain silverware this season, but it was Ange Postecoglou’s side who ultimately came out on top thanks to a brace from Kyogo Furuhashi.
Although Alfredo Morelos’ second-half goal reduced the deficit, the Hoops’ quick start to the game proved too much for the Gers to overcome.
Speaking live on Viaplay TV at half-time (Sunday, 26 February, 3:59 pm), BBC Scotland pundit Stewart was heavily critical of Tillman – who struggled to impose himself against Celtic’s three-man midfield before being subbed off in the 65th minute.
When asked whether Beale would be worried about the dominance of the Hoops in midfield, he replied: “Absolutely. We said before the match that the midfield was going to be important, and Callum McGregor has controlled the game and Hatate has been outstanding as well.
“If you look at the goal Celtic scored, they’ve been able to lift their heads and make passes.
“Tillman is being overrun. Hatate has got great energy and great ability as well, and I’m sure Michael Beale is going to have a bit of a concern in there as to how they can try to get on top of Celtic in the middle of the park, stop them.
“Not easy, but I don’t think Tillman is doing enough for Rangers.”
Struggles
All the talk pre-match was about the fitness of Tillman and whether Beale would side with him or Todd Cantwell. In the end, the Gers boss sided with the 20-year-old, but he struggled to adjust to the pace of the game from the outset.
There is no doubt that Tillman is an extremely talented player, and he has a brilliant knack for popping up with goals at the most important times, but he needs to do more of the nitty gritty stuff that helps a team tick.
Facing off against a quality player in Aaron Mooy, the Bayern Munich loanee was given schooling in the middle of the park – especially in the first half. At such a young age, there is still plenty of time to learn his trade fully, and Beale would have learned some lessons from the Old Firm match.
Tillman has an extremely bright future at Ibrox if the club manage to secure his services in the summer transfer window, but this wasn’t his finest day at the office.
In other Rangers news, In other Rangers news, the club have pulled off one transfer coup by signing a player on a free that European giants have been after.