Malik Tillman was at the heart of the Champions League drama as PSV launched an amazing late comeback.
The former Rangers loanee has been in inspired form for the Dutch giants and has eight goals and four assists this season, recently persuading the Eredivisie side to take up their option to sign him permanently.
Last time out on Champions League duty he turned in a sparking display, bagging himself a goal and two assists on the way to a 4-0 win over a Girona side featuring former Aberdeen striker and Ibrox-linked Bojan Miovski.
That was PSV’s first victory in this year’s new league phase format after a defeat to Juventus and draws against Sporting Lisbon and Paris Saint-Germain.
They were in action again last night as they welcomed Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk to the Philips Stadion.
Malik Tillman scores another PSV Champions League double
Malik Tillman continues to show Rangers what they’re missing as he sparkles both domestically and in Europe for PSV.
He took his Champions League tally to three goals in five games last night with a stunning late double against Shakhtar.
Donetsk initially took charge of the tie early on as they turned up to PSV’s home looking destined to take the three points back with them, Danylo Sikan scoring on eight minutes and Oleksandr Zubkov later doubling the advantage.
But they handed their hosts a lifeline on 69 minutes when Pedrinho was sent off to reduce the visitors to ten men.
It took PSV 20 minutes to make the most of their man advantage but when they finally did they did it in style, and Tillman was the difference maker.
With three minutes of normal time remaining, he lined up a free-kick in the wide area looking all the world like a cross was all that was on. But the 22-year-old susprised everyone by bending it round the ball and creeping one it and the keeper’s near post.
If that looked special it was nothing on the next goal. Tillman picked the ball up around 25-yards from goal and absolutely lasered one right into the corner and beyond Dmytro Riznyk.
PSV then found a winner on 95 minutes, Pepi eventually bundling one over the line after a ball in from the left and a scramble in the box.
But there was no disguising who was the original architect of the comeback and it was the ex-Rangers man.
Tillman clears up transfer confusion
Tillman recently insisted he hadn’t been consulted on his move to PSV becoming permanent and said it was his goal to end up at Bayern again.
Speaking to Bild, he said: “I just wanted to tell you how the transfer [from Bayern to PSV] went in the final instance. And that was all between the clubs – without me being asked about my feelings or wishes.
“That was the only thing that surprised me. But I’m not complaining at all, quite the opposite. Because I knew the contract I had signed and knew what could happen.
“Of course I would have been happy if Bayern had brought me back, we’re talking about an absolute world club here. But I’m also very happy with the transfer to Eindhoven. Here I have a very good, familiar environment that supports and encourages me 100 percent so that I can continue to grow.
“Of course I can’t comment on numbers, they’re not that important to me! But I don’t want to make a secret of it. A return to Bayern is still a dream and a big goal for me.”
