Although the majority of Rangers signings from summer have failed to deliver so far due to form and fitness concerns, on-loan Bayern Munich youngster Malik Tillman has proved his doubters wrong since settling down as an attacking playmaker. Christian Nerlinger, the former Bavarians and Gers midfield general, has urged Michael Beale to trigger the option to buy clause upon the conclusion of the ongoing campaign.
“I understand why Rangers are so keen to sign him for that money. If I was at the club, I would be trying to do it as well. This is a player who could be worth a lot more than £5m in the very near future.”
Nerlinger has told the Scottish Sun as he compared the 20-year-old American with ‘top-level players’ thanks to his goals and assists for the Glasgow giants.
The Light Blues had a dismal start to the season under Giovanni van Bronckhorst despite roping in seven new names to bolster themselves across the pitch. While the likes of John Souttar, Tom Lawrence and Ridvan Yilmaz have missed months of football with persistent injury problems, former Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo has failed to justify his potential down the flanks.
Why Rangers Must Tie Him Down On A Permanent Deal
Antonio Colak and Ben Davies have impressed in their respective roles, yet the pair would have offered more had they not been injured in phases. Tillman, however, has managed to stay fit all throughout making 36 appearances across competitions. With 9 goals and 5 assists already this season, the USMNT star must be upbeat ahead of clashing heads with Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final.
Born in Germany, Tillman spent a youth stint with Greuther Fürth before joining the academy ranks of Bayern Munich. He made 25 appearances for the reserves along with 7 senior appearances during the previous term. Meanwhile, the appointment of Julian Nagelsmann as the new FCB boss jeopardized his first-team minutes, and therefore, a season-long loan to Rangers was sanctioned by the Bundesliga giants back in July 2022.
The former German youth international, who switched his allegiance to US last year, has represented them four times at the senior level. Predominantly a ‘number 10’, Tillman is capable of featuring from the wide, thus switching his position with fellow teammates.
The reported £5m fee is not a minuscule amount for the Scottish side, but he is valued more than that by Nerlinger who monitored his career from a young age in Germany. It remains to be seen now whether the Gers splash the cash and tie Tillman down in a long-term contract.
