F***, I hate Rangers. So hard to root for the individual performances of Tillman (and Sands) when I despise the blue side of Glasgow. But Tillman’s game is so easy on the eyes and he’s a joy to watch. I can’t wait until he’s a regular with the USMNT.
This has been an interesting adjustment. I thought he was too showboaty in some of his early appearances, without being concerned enough about the final production. He seems to have gotten more interested in a quantifiable contribution and that will go a long way combined with his considerable skillset and vision.
From my perspective, Gio let him get away with it. A couple of other players at Rangers were allowed to do the same. Beale has them more disciplined in the final third. There’s a focus and an urgency in the movement, passing, and end product. Lucky for Celtic, this play from Rangers wasn’t there early in the season with Gio. Had it been…. a few points would separate the two clubs. It would be a tight race. I’m still not convinced Celtic is running away with the title even if our supporters think so. Six points and a game in hand aren’t much, IMO. Tillman, I think, has simplified his game. Fairly direct and with a purpose. He’s not trying to do more than necessary.
Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware he made a one-time switch already. Could have been nicer about reporting it. But thanks anyways.
of course you hate them .... you like Celtic. haha. I think Celtic and the Rangers are both great - but I am not in the middle of stands at Ibrox so I can say that here in the States. yes Malik is great and is going to get better.
They for sure want to keep Tillman (or at least an influential portion of the fans and sports reporter/pundits.) And Tillman has suggested he's interested in staying. Whether Gers has the means and/or Tillman gets more lucrative/attractive offers is another question.
Bayern also has a buy back option. After a good season his price might be above that option. I'm also slightly sceptical regarding that "interested in staying". Hard to say anything else.
Yeah. I got no first hand info save what's in the press/soc media. I think it's certain that the better he does, the less chance he stays at this point, since they already want him and he seems like a kid with a lot of ambition. That said, it will all depend on interest and $$.
Profile from The Athletic (sub required): https://theathletic.com/4156852/2023/02/05/malik-tillman-rangers-usmnt/ When he signed on loan with an exclusive option to buy from Bayern Munich in July, he was not the player fans assumed they would be pinning so much of their hopes on, but it quickly became clear that even if he would drift in and out of games, even if his body language looked a little subdued and even if he started to look leggy after the hour mark, he was still the player who was providing the spark. He still had to endure a lot of unjust criticism, perhaps a byproduct of an unhappy fan base struggling to appreciate a shard of light in an otherwise gloomy picture, but it finally feels like he has won over the majority.
I do think Tillman has adjusted his game as much as the fans have come to appreciate his game. I felt like he was a bit showy to not enough effect in the 1st half of his season, but he appearance lately feel more heartfelt with more concern for final product rather than attractiveness of the drive, which is what his game seemed to need most. And he plays about the prettiest/flashiest footie of anyone on Gers at the moment, so he can do both.
Started: 🆕 Today’s #RangersFC team to face @PartickThistle in the @ScottishCup.🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/eZYjJuSQvT pic.twitter.com/EYDwOTe3c2— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 12, 2023 Trailing 1-0 in the 35th.
He scored and wild things happen afterward: Tillman with the goal! pic.twitter.com/Prs8HhMbup— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 12, 2023 Because Tillman took advantage of an error when Partick was about to give the ball back to Rangers, Rangers then allowed the opponents to score on the ensuing kickoff. Match is on ESPN+.
Hilarious - not something you see that often. Dude is living up to his “wired differently” rep. Definitely recommend watching the highlights.
The goal and the aftermath: 🚨 MALIK TILLMAN GOOAAALLLLL!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥 #USMNT 🇺🇸pic.twitter.com/uVS2OG1m1j— 🇺🇸 USMNT vs Haters (@USMNTvsHaters) February 12, 2023
Almost got a 2nd: 90+7 Almost an unbelievable goal from Tillman! Amazing skill to create the opportunity.— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 12, 2023
Wow, quite the donnybrook, or at least a brouhaha. Never seen something like that sequence of events in soccer, although I think letting Partick offset the goal was the right thing to do.
Tillman is a bad, bad man. He’s gonna be on the shit list of many in Scotland. Pretty unsporting behavior. I was watching the match and even his teammates were like WTF dude. Michael Beadle did the right thing and let Partick score. Wild scenes. Wild moment. Entertaining at least