Malik Tillman axed from Rangers starting XI for Old Firm clash v Celtic – Scott Allan
Scott Allan has suggested Malik Tillman should be axed from Rangers’ starting XI for their Old Firm clash against Celtic on Saturday.
Michael Beale’s side head to Parkhead in need of a win to keep their faint hopes of a league title alive.
Former Hoops man Allan believes Beale should go with Todd Cantwell, Nicolas Raskin and Ryan Jack to ensure the Gers gain a foothold in the game.
“Cantwell, Raskin and Jack, I would go,” Allan told Open Goal (quoted by Football Scotland, 6 April).
“I’ve seen him [Tillman] a few times this year and you could bring him on to maybe turn the screw.
“But I would go Cantwell, Raskin and Jack just to get a foothold in the game. Do you not think if you play Tillman as a false nine against Celtic they’ll get so much time to play out?”
Interesting
There are certainly a number of big decisions for Beale to contemplate. If Nicolas Raskin is 100 per cent fit, he should be given a start. Rangers struggled to dictate play during the Scottish League Cup final and their midfield failure was ultimately their downfall.
Raskin has the ability to hold onto the ball in tight areas and keep it moving, which could allow for Rangers to set the tempo. As Tillman, Beale would be mad not to start the American on Saturday (8 April). The 20-year-old has been a stand-out performer this season and is capable of a moment of magic.
He simply has to be on the pitch for as long as possible. If he starts on the bench, the game could well be out of reach by the time he eventually does enter the fray.
Furthermore, this is a game Rangers need to go and win. With Celtic nine points clear, the Light Blues must start closing the gap if they wish to stop another league title heading to Parkhead.
In other Rangers news, the club remain in the dark over how a major recent move has impacted on their chances of a key £5million transfer move.