Rangers: John Hartson baffled by Malik Tillman decision
John Hartson believes Rangers midfielder Malik Tillman can count himself lucky to have been included in PFA Scotland’s Team of the Season over Celtic’s Jota.
The Gers fan favourite has been a standout performer for Michael Beale’s men this season, recording 10 goals and four assists from 28 Scottish Premiership games.
The 20-year-old was rewarded by making the PFA Scotland XI, alongside teammate James Tavernier, and also included seven Celtic players, as well as Aberdeen forward Duk and Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen.
And speaking on the Go Radio Football Show [8 May], Craig Moore admitted he wasn’t sure about Tillman’s inclusion but providing his response, Hartson was left baffled at the PFA’s decision to pick the American midfielder over Jota, despite Celtic having seven players in the team.
He said: “The one for me is Tillman. You could argue, has he had a better season than Jota? And you wonder ‘Why is he in?’
“I think Jota’s had a better season than Tillman personally. I don’t think he’s really made the difference in games and in the games against Celtic.
“So listen, it’s good for the lad. He’s definitely a talent and one that Michael Beale will have a big decision on in terms of whether he wants to sign permanently.
“But for me, that would be the only one I would potentially look to change. You ask the question, has Tillman been better than Jota this season? In my opinion, no.”
Deserved inclusion
You can certainly argue that Hartson is incredibly biased in his argument that Jota deserved a spot in the PFA Team of the Year over Tillman, and sure, many other Celtic fans will agree with him.
However, Tillman was an unknown quantity when he joined on loan from Bayern Munich last summer and has rapidly emerged as one of the division’s best attacking midfielders through his stunning performances under Beale’s tutelage.
Whatever the PFA’s reasons for including Tillman over Jota, maybe because there were seven Celtic players already in the team, the American maestro certainly deserves his spot.
The 20-year-old playmaker has undergone a brilliant and rapid development under Beale’s management with the former QPR coach providing him with the tactical dynamics and freedom to wreak havoc in a Rangers shirt this season.
Tillman has unquestionably repaid that faith and tactical decision with some superb returns in the final third, so far registering 14 goal involvements from 25 Scottish Premiership games.
He’s been so good and decisive that not only Rangers fans will be desperate to see him extend his Ibrox stay beyond the summer, but plenty of neutral fans too.
The Scottish Premiership could do with more unique and exciting talents like Tillman – that’s why he deserves his PFA spot. He’s a one of kind footballer, a rare commodity in the Scottish game.
In other Rangers news, a £20million transfer budget has been mooted to complete all of the necessary business during the window.