Rangers star Malik Tillman was the star of the day as the club faced Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly – and Michael Beale is already sold on signing the Bayern loanee permanently.
The German-born USA international might only be 20 but Tillman was the central figure on the pitch as his deadly double downed Xabi Alonso’s side, with Scott Arfield adding a third in an impressive 3-0 win.
Read the official Rangers match report HERE.
Also see highlights of the three goals below:
It was Michael Beale’s first game as first team manager of Rangers, the former QPR boss having controversially swapped Loftus Road for Ibrox following the sacking of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Steven Gerrard’s former assistant at Ibrox, it was clear from the outset that the Rangers squad have responded to the appointment and whilst it’s only one game, and a World Cup break friendly, there were plenty of positives to take home for discouraged Rangers fans.
The Ibrox crowd had gotten used to yawning their way through matches under Van Bronckhorst and Michael Beale already looks determined to deliver on his promise of putting on a show for the fans.
But at the centre of the performance was one player Michael Beale is only just getting acquainted with in Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tillman.
Malik Tillman impresses new Rangers manager Michael Beale
Signed on an loan with option-to-buy deal in the summer – with Ross Wilson earning praise as a result – Beale had left Ibrox before Tillman joined on at the club.
But the incoming Rangers boss, famed and respected around the UK for his positive relationships and management of young players, is already sold on making the deal permanent, describing Malik as a “fantastic talent”.
“We’re lucky to have him [Malik Tillman] playing here in Scotland,” said Michael Beale following the impressive victory.
“He’s just 20 and I think he’s got a huge future in front of him – hopefully for this football club.
“It’s a pretty obvious one [regarding whether Rangers should sign Tillman permanently]. I really like Malik.
“He is a fantastic talent. He wants to play slightly higher. We’re going to give him the freedom to run out of that midfield and get into the positions he was in today.
“You can see what he could grow into to. He’s the exact type of player that we want at this football club. I don’t know the exact fee, I don’t know where we’re going to go and get it from, but if we can do it, I would definitely sign Malik Tillman, yes.”
Rangers star Malik Tillman has made 23 appearances for the Ibrox club this season, scoring four goals and laying on three assists.
There is also a suggestion that it will cost Rangers £5m to make the deal to bring the attacking midfielder to Ibrox permanent.
