Rangers manager Michael Beale has provided an update on influential midfielder Malik Tillman and bitten back at claims the club’s sportsmanship wouldn’t extend to Celtic.
The Ibrox boss and Bayern loanee have been the subject of much coverage this week following a controversial goal in last weekend’s 3-2 Scottish Cup victory over Partick Thistle.
Michael Beale ordered his side to allow Scott Tiffoney to score at Ibrox after Malik Tillman had nabbed in to steal the ball from Partick defender Kevin Holt and score.
This was with the Jags set to return the ball to Rangers after the Ibrox side kicked the ball out following an injury to the USA international.
Michael Beale provides Malik Tillman Rangers update
Speaking as the discussion continued ahead of the Livingston match, Michael Beale confirmed he did not realise the gravity of the initial challenge on Malik Tillman and – thankfully – confirmed the player is alright.
“That was the only thing that I did miss in the whole situation,” Michael Beale said [Rangers].
“I didn’t realise that the boy had caught him as bad. That led to the situation because that was why he was down and he doesn’t see the ball being played out of the pitch.
“He’s fine. There was a lot of emotion in and around after the game but when you see what happened in the video, it’s how we said it.
“It was a difficult moment but it was the right decision to make. I don’t think there’s any blame apportioned to anybody. It was a big misunderstanding and we move on.”
Michael Beale not having Celtic question
The Rangers boss has also bitten back at the suggestion that the club wouldn’t have done the same had Malik Tillman scored against Celtic.
The usual suspects have been out bemoaning the positive coverage the incident has gotten for sportsmanship and the draining conversation was quickly nipped in the bud by the Rangers manager.
“This is a route that in this country we go down all the time,” said Michael Beale.
“Come on, let’s not go down that. It was the right thing to do in that moment to happen. It was the right and fair thing, let’s not go down that road. The decision was made for the right reasons.”
Meanwhile, Allan McGregor is reportedly “almost certain” to leave Rangers.
