Sam Stone

Wed 1 March 2023 18:10, UK

Rangers hold an “exclusive” right to sign Malik Tillman at the end of his current loan deal, according to Scottish Daily Mail journalist Mark Wilson.

The American has been a standout performer for the Light Blues in the 2022/23 campaign and Michael Beale has made his desire to keep the 20-year-old very clear.

However, Wilson has claimed a move for the American will take up a “chunk” of the Gers’ current transfer budget.

“Beale has made clear his desire to hold on to the burgeoning talent of Malik Tillman once his loan from Bayern Munich ends,” wrote Wilson (Scottish Daily Mail, pages 70 & 71. 1 March).

“Rangers have an exclusive purchase option – thought to be in the region of £5million – and successfully activating it would obviously take a large chunk from the budget. Much depends on Tillman’s own thoughts.”

Get the chequebook out

It’s time for the board to show some ambition and signing Tillman would certainly do that. The American’s age means he will develop further during his time at the club if he did make his move permanent.

Therefore, he will almost certainly hold his value for at least two or three years regardless of how he performs – and going off what we have seen this season, there’s a good chance he will continue to grow in the blue jersey. His intelligence is there for all to see and is a step too far for the majority of teams in the Scottish Premiership.

He struggled against Celtic in the League Cup final, however, he was thrown into the action whilst not at 100 per cent match fitness. If did remain, there’s little doubt he would start to make an impact against The Hoops. Just over £3million was spent in the January window. It was a small show of ambition but more is required in the summer.

Kicking off with the signing of Tillman would be the ideal start to the window whilst also proving a few doubters wrong.

In other Rangers news, the fans must do more to get Douglas Park and Ross Wilson out of the club because enough is enough.