Malik Tillman couldn’t have done much more during his loan spell at Rangers to convince Michael Beale to sign him permanently.
A complex loan-to-buy with options for both clubs is yet to be cleared up one way or the other with the 20-year old midfielder still in limbo.
Injury curtailed Malik Tillman’s season, however, speaking to Rising Ballers on YouTube, it’s clear that he is as impressive off the pitch as he is on it.
The USA international’s brother is also a talented footballer, currently in MLS, having been at Bayern Munich too.
It is the now departed Rangers loanee that could be the subject of debate until an announcement is made though.
What has Malik Tillman said about his time at Rangers?
Speaking to Rising Ballers, which focusses on promising youngsters who are making an impact on the big stage, Malik Tillman opened up about his time at Rangers:
“I always dreamed about becoming a professional footballer.
“It’s a dream come true.
“I was 19 years old and I just thought, you just have to play on a high level and as many games as you can. So that’s why I thought about going out on loan.”
Proving that the boldness of youth can be a good thing in decision making, he said:
“When I first came to Rangers I wasn’t really nervous I was just excited to play for the massive club.
“So, being on loan for a club and having a song for you is just an amazing feeling.”
And, after saving special praise of his mum, who has clearly been a massive influence in his life, the possible summer signing finished with:
“Going on loan was the best decision of my career so far.”
The reported £5m fee seems like a lot of money but, look around.
This summer has seen an inflation of the transfer market at our level.
The sort of fee being mentioned is similar to what Michael Beale would have to pay for Luis Palma and I know what player I would rather have.
The 20-year old who has just scored 12 goals for us in his first season playing regular senior football.
It looks like Beale is leaving it to the last possible minute to make a decision on Tillman.
He clearly rates him and would want him back at Rangers but there are obviously more factors to the deal than that.
Do Bayern see him as one-day being a first-team regular for them is one, but the biggest, does the player himself want to return to Scotland?
The second reason seems more plausible than the first.
Then there is the reported interest from England, Bayern could make more money selling Tillman to Brentford or Brighton and the four-times capped international would also have jumped up the footballing ladder.
In terms of league, at least.
Given the signings that Michael Beale has made and is reportedly close to, I’d take Malik Tillman back in a heart beat, unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it is in our control.
