Rangers loanee Malik Tillman has now explained why the Ibrox natives are ‘better’ off under Michael Beale than Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Gers sacked the Dutchman in November.
Ibrox chiefs took action and dismissed Van Bronckhorst after just one year in charge. He had overseen nine defeats to 15 wins in 28 games across all competitions this season. Six of their defeats with the 48-year-old also came in the Champions League during a dire group stage.
Rangers failed to take a single point during Group A and scored two goals to 22 conceded on their return to the tournament. Van Bronckhorst had led the Gers back into the premier UEFA competition for the first time in 12 years. They also reached the Europa League final in 2022.
Yet results this season necessitated another change in manager with Rangers hiring Beale to replace Van Bronckhorst. The 42-year-old became the 18th permanent manager at Ibrox on a contract until 2026. He was the head coach of Queens Park Rangers before taking charge.
Beale only oversaw 22 games with QPR in his first position as a first-team head coach. Yet he is still yet to lose a competitive fixture in charge of the Gers. Rangers are unbeaten across 12 matches with Beale following 11 wins. They have also scored 28 goals to 11 conceded so far.
Tillman now explains why Rangers are stronger with Beale than Van Bronckhorst
Rangers have only dropped points under Beale in their 2-2 draw against Celtic after leading 2-1 until the 88th minute. Tillman had just left the action when Kyogo Furuhashi beat Allan McGregor. He has retained a leading role at Ibrox since joining on loan from Bayern Munich.
Van Bronckhorst signed Tillman in July and would field the 20-year-old in 24 games for four goals and three assists. Beale has since seen the four-cap USA international record five goals and two assists since taking charge in Glasgow. He has used Tillman in 12 games, starting 10.
Tillman has now opened up on the differences he has seen at Rangers since Beale replaced Van Bronckhorst in charge. He also explained why he feels the Gers are stronger with Steven Gerrard’s old number two at the helm than with the Dutchman calling the shots in Glasgow.
“Among other things, he allows more offensive football to be played,” Tillman told Kicker. “I would say that he and his assistants prepare us more for opponents. We have a better sense of how we go into a game.”
