Malik Tillman has hinted he’s ready to make his Rangers loan a permanent affair after declaring his love for the Ibrox outfit.
The Bayern Munich kid has provided the Light Blues faithful with some of the few positives they’ve been able to cling to amid a dark campaign. And it hasn’t taken new boss Michael Beale long to identify the 20-year-old USA international as someone he can build his new-look team around.
It was Tillman’s staring display against Hibs that inspired the second-half fightback which ensured Steven Gerrard’s former sidekick got off to a winning start. But even before Thursday’s 3-2 win, Beale had already urged Gers to make the most of their “exclusive option” to buy Tillman. However, securing the former German youth international’s lasting service from his Bavarian parent club this summer could cost the Ibrox board as much as £6million.
But Tillman has given Gers encouragement to push through with a deal after signalling his happiness in Glasgow. Asked if he felt Ibrox was the right place for his development, Tillman declared: “I think so, yes.
“There have been some ups and downs but I always try and give my best and keep improving the whole time. I came here to play as many games as I can. I love the club and everything around it, so we will see what will happen in the summer.”
Meanwhile, Beale may have ruled out a move for Easter Road ace Ryan Porteous but he does think it’s time Rangers started getting involved in the tartan import business. Record Sport columnist and former Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson last week accused Gers chiefs of botching the opportunity to land his nephew Lewis for a bargain-basement price.
The Scotland midfielder is now tearing it up in Serie A with Bologna after a £2million move to Italy and Ferguson reckons his old club have missed their chance to land the former Aberdeen ace, with his valuation now soaring amid links to Juventus. Ferguson leads a list of Scottish starlets who have moved down south or abroad in recent seasons despite being right under the noses of the Ibrox club’s recruitment department, with the likes of Aaron Hickey, Josh Doig and Calvin Ramsey also getting away.
But Beale admits it’s vital for Gers’ European planning they bring in more homegrown talent. He said: “I think they have to be good enough to play for Rangers. I don’t want to talk about Ryan in particular because I think it is unfair int his moment.
“But I think a strong Rangers has always had key Scottish players in that team as well. It is important we have that, certainly for the make-up of our squad for European football, we need to have the right quota. I do think, as a big, big club, the biggest club in Scotland, we do need to have Scottish players in our squad for sure.”
Gers moved to tie down one of their own locally-raised academy graduates this week as they rewarded Leon King with a new contract. And they’ve also issued Romanian ace Ianis Hagi with a fresh two-year extension - tying him to Ibrox until 2025 - despite the fact the playmaker has yet to make his return from a year-long injury lay-off.
But Beale revealed he could be back soon as the former QPR gaffer said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Ianis has signed. He’s a boy I’ve kept in touch with in the last year – one of the only ones – as he’s had such a tough year.
“He’s a fantastic talent, a lovely young boy, everything you like about someone. If he was your son you’d be so proud of him. He’s had a really tough year and this is his reward.
“I’m delighted we’ve extended with him. He’s back in light training now. We won’t rush him but certainly when players like him and Tom Lawrence come back in the attacking areas we’ll go up a notch again. He’s one of the players I wanted to come back to with with because it think he’s an excellent talent and I’m delighted he’s committed his future here.”
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