Sam Stone

Thu 2 March 2023 14:10, UK

Tam McManus doesn’t see Rangers making Malik Tillman’s loan move permanent for the reported £6.2million buy option inserted in his current agreement.

BILD journalist Christian Falk claimed the Gers have the option to buy the 20-year-old for £6.2million in the summer (Fabrizio Romano’s Substack for Caught Offside, 17 February). However, there has been no indication from the club to suggest they will be willing to pay the fee.

McManus cannot see a move materialising but did accept improvements will have to be made if they wish to close the gap to Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

“I think if they want to get closer to Celtic and do something in Europe then they’ve got to improve. However, I think Tillman will go back, I don’t think Rangers will buy him for that money,” said McManus (PLZ Football Show, 23m 07s, 1 March).

Unlikely

After James Sands’ loan move was cancelled, there’s a chance the board have added funds to make a permanent attempt for Tillman. The American has been the most impressive of the summer additions and would be sorely missed if he did return to the Bundesliga giants.

£6.2million is a large amount for Rangers, but it’s a gamble they should be willing to take. His age means he will immediately turn into an asset for the club. Take Nicolas Raskin for example, the Belgium under-21 international is already worth more to the club than he was to Standard Liege due to the length of his contract at Ibrox – and that’s before he’s really displayed what he can do on the pitch.

The board should be looking to take the plunge with this move. Particularly if Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos leave the club in the summer. A larger rebuild is required, with a number of Michael Beale’s squad well past their best. Making Tillman a permanent Rangers player would be some statement, even if it is very unlikely.

In other Rangers news, a pundit has ripped into Gers fans after what they did in the Viaplay Cup final v Celtic.