Former Celtic striker John Hartson insists Rangers midfielder Malik Tillman can count himself lucky to have been included in PFA Scotland’s Team of the Season – because he believes Parkhead winger Jota is more deserving of a place in the line-up.
Tillman, who is on loan at Ibrox from Bayern Munich, had his season ended prematurely after being forced off with injury during the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s team.
Two Rangers players – Tillman and captain James Tavernier – made the PFA Scotland XI, which also included seven Celtic players, as well as Aberdeen forward Duk and Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen.
Joe Hart, Greg Taylor, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furushashi were voted by their peers as the best the cinch Premiership has to offer – but Hartson believes another member of the champions’ squad can feel hard done by after missing out.
Hartson appeared on the Go Radio football show alongside Craig Moore and the former Rangers defender admitted that he wasn’t sure if Tillman would be included in the Team of the Season.
Moore said: “Malik Tillman is a young player who shows promise. In terms of the big matches where I think Rangers really needed him to stand up, I still think there’s improvement to come.
“But he is a talent. Team of the season, on the back of his performances? Maybe there were some better options in my opinion. Malik Tillman I think is a great talent but I think he’s probably a little bit lucky to find himself in the team of the season.”
Hartson then added his thoughts. “I think Craig sums that up very well,” the Welshman said. “The one for me is Tillman. You could argue, has he had a better season than Jota? And you wonder ‘why is he in?’
“I think Jota’s had a better season than Tillman personally. I don't think he’s really made the difference in games and in the games against Celtic.
“So listen, it’s good for the lad. He’s definitely a talent and one that Michael Beale will have a big decision on in terms of whether he wants to sign permanently.
“But for me, that would be the only one I would potentially look to change. You ask the question, has Tillman been better than Jota this season? In my opinion, no.”
