Rood-Witten (& Blau) Malik Tillman at PSV America (olf Bayern Munich)

The goal:

MALIK TILLMAN 🇺🇲(2002) WITH A GREAT GOAL!!! #USMNT https://t.co/z40maQFVSg

— Football Report (@FootballReprt) December 28, 2022

 

He’s still too cute by half with the ball for my money. Get 25% more direct in some moments and he’ll be twice the player

 

I have only seen the highlights, which by definition are the moments that work so I can't speak to how it plays out in the totality of his play, but I like his utilization of la pausa. Certainly a nice change of rhythm from the direct Pulisic method.

 

Yeah - don't get me wrong, I don't think he shouldn't ever do it. But I watch him a lot and I sometimes get the feeling he just loves trying to beat the defender, even tight in the box, which is cool, but sometimes It seems just letting it rip or an earlier pass isn't the smart (and safer for you ankles) choice. CP has learned over the years what being that kind of tight dribbler can do to your shins. But I'm also pretty sure MT has better soccer minds than me giving him tips, and if they're not saying it, he's better off not listening to rando on BS - so Malik, freis sez you are free to be you!

 

This was just a great goal which would have required even a high level defender to make a great play.

 

TOTW:

🚨Malik Tillman is in the SofaScore Scottish Premiership Team of the Week🏆#USMNT pic.twitter.com/V8wILYEQ8j

— USMNT burner (@burnerusmnt) December 29, 2022

 

Rangers v Celtic. Tillman started and lasted 85’, departing with Rangers ahead 2-1. Tillman was replaced by Sands, and Rangers conceded the equalizing goal at 88’. CCV went the full distance for Celtic.

Final score

Rangers 2-2 Celtic

 

Huge missed opportunity for Gers. Had the better of play early. Equalizer came off a number of failures to clear. Sands not really involved. Could have picked up the goal scorer if he’d been prescient and lucky, but Ryan’s failure to put a dangerous ball out or away from goal was the main issue. Tillman already off, for Sands, before the goal. Cc’d had a good tackle on MT just before Tillman went off after Tillman took a bit too long on the ball with a late Gers chance.

 

Starts:

🆕 Today’s #RangersFC team to face Dundee United.

🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/9YZsEFLO8N pic.twitter.com/8E6OlVyNeg

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 8, 2023

 

Scores:

Fashion Jr's effort is saved, from the attempted clearance Malik Tillman perfectly controls the ball and then leaves the keeper no chance with a lovely finish into the bottom corner.

What a start to the second-half!

Dundee United 0-2 Rangers https://t.co/9xqp1axChD

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 8, 2023

 

The goal:

MALIK TILLMAN SMASHES IT HOME 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VMrJ99UpSQ

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 8, 2023

 

Rangers Football Club
@RangersFC

78' SUB: A change for Rangers.

➡️ ON: Roofe
⬅️ OFF: Tillman

Dundee United 0-2 Rangers

 

Who knew he is an admirer of Mathis.

 

?

 

Watch tapping goal celebration. Although, it doesn't quite have the same meaning in Tillman's case since he actually started the game.

Love this TV angle of his goal. What is the xG on this?

 

so it is the watch tap ....

 

🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/DQqNnd4Uak

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 15, 2023

Started in cup semis:

🆕 Today’s #RangersFC team to face Aberdeen at Hampden in the Viaplay Cup semi-final.

🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/HlNtsZkT9t pic.twitter.com/IdBTnlS5t1

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 15, 2023

Rangers Football Club
@RangersFC

73' SUB: A double change for Rangers.

➡️ ON: Kamara & Roofe
⬅️ OFF: Tillman & Morelos

Rangers 1-1 Aberdeen | #ViaplayCup

Leading 2-1 in ET.

 

Rangers won after giving up 2 goals on the counter (one luckily called back for legit, but very close OS) despite having the bulk of the attacking play. I watched with half an eye on and off through the game. Most of the time Tillman was lined up as an RM in a very fluid and attacking 4-3-3 to my eye (tho a press report I saw had it a 4-2-3-1, which it didn't really feel like to me.) Fashion Jr. was playing in front of MT in the RW position and they linked up pretty well. MT is incredibly skilled with lovely touch and good vision (he hit a beautiful long seams splitting pass and very clever back heel in some of the early moments I watched) but was not involved in the 1st Gers goal (he was wide right at the far post - and wide open at least.) and not on the field for the second. Had a good lung-busting run back to break up an early counter with a slide-tackle that was unexpected and impressive. I still think he plays a bit too cute, but he clearly is very highly skilled for this level. If he (or his cohorts) were a bit more ruthless in the box he'd be notching decent G/A numbers. Gers v. Celtic next in the final.

 

He definitely can be a bit too cute at times and can come off nonchalant but he also does at least a few things a game that really pop. He did appear to play a bit further back in this one... essentially like an 8. And he broke the lines with great passes at least 4 times in the 1st half. Kind of unlucky to not have better assist / hockey-assist numbers IMO. I was bothered yet again by the Scottish half-time announcer who singled MT out for not being good enough. That dude is so anti-Yank. At any rate, still a ton of room to grow and I really hope he and Musah start to bring just a bit more of the US-typical engine to their game because if they paired that with their natural technique/skill then they could be VERY good elite league players.

 

Yeah, I don't question his skill at all (and I always watch with the sound off, so I missed that color commentary! lol.) I just think if he were more direct at times - esp in this league - he'd get goals or draw PKs at a better rate. Again, I only watched in bits and pieces, but I thought his passing out of the midfield was very good - had not seen that part of his game much at all. He's a really skilled player. He just should be putting up better numbers - and some of that is down to his teammates not finishing chances, but some is on him as well.

 

🗣️ “It depends on the club and Bayern”

Malik Tillman addresses his Rangers future

Would you like to see him sign a permanent deal at Ibrox? pic.twitter.com/kIMlLhnHn4

— The Rangers Review (@RangersReview55) January 15, 2023

 

I think it might just be my lack of sleep, but highlighting the quote "It depends on the club and Bayern" in the tweet is just so funny.

My internal response after reading that quote was "uh, yeah, I sure hope it does" like the guy who made this Vine:

 

It took Musiala quite a while to become an integral part of the 1st squad and while I like MT, I think he is a significant step down in skill from him at this point. As such, I do NOT want MT going back to Bayern until he proves he can be one of the better players in a lower league. Dude should not be in a hurry to return.

 

On the bench:

🆕 Tonight’s #RangersFC team to face Kilmarnock.

🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/hNP4YIIzjJ pic.twitter.com/ogVc5Khi4F

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 18, 2023

 

Killie in 11th. Rangers with a cup match on Sat. but aside from Kamara for Tillman and Arfield for Jack I think this is the same line-up as started v. Aberdeen. Resting middies? Or change in faves?

(Sands on the bench as well.)