Malik Tillman believes Rangers are the best team in Scotland and they can defeat Celtic if they reach their full potential.
The USA international has been one of the shining lights at Ibrox this season following a summer transfer from Bayern Munich on a season-long loan. The Light Blues have the option to make the deal permanent in the summer with boss Michael Beale already expressing a desire to see that move agreed.
The 20-year-old - who grabbed his fifth goal of the campaign in all competitions against Motherwell last time out - knows Rangers must perform much better than the previous meeting with Celtic this season in order to get a victory. He believes Beale and Co can grab all three points in front of a packed out Ibrox if they reach the level he knows they are capable of as he branded the game 'the biggest of the year'. Rangers know they must win in order to cut Celtic's lead at the top of the Premiership down to six points. Defeat, and Ange Postecoglou and his defending champions will move 12 points clear and become clear favourites to go on and make it back-to-back league triumphs.
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Speaking ahead of the second Old Firm derby of the season, Tillman roared: “If we reach our level we are one of the best teams in the league, or even the best team.
"Obviously, we’ll try to turn around things in the Old Firm game and bring back three points.
“Unfortunately we lost the first one and have to do a way better job — but if we reach our level, we can beat them.
“Every game is important but this game is the biggest of the whole year. We are nine points behind and will try to close the gap. That’s why we need to win the game on Monday.
"In front of our fans, we need them as well. If they do a good job, we will do a great job as well. What did I learn from the first game? We just need to reach our level. If we play the way we can play, we can beat anyone.”
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