MALIK IS MAKING HIS MARK
Tillman peaking at perfect time as he fires side to victory
WITH time gradually running out to make an impression ahead of a busy and crucial summer of transfer activity at Rangers, now is the perfect moment to step up and deliver. Malik Tillman is clearly on a mission to do just that.
Currently on loan from Bayern Munich, the Ibrox club have a £5million option to make the deal permanent for the attacking midfielder. Indeed, talks are underway to try to keep him moving forward.
Of course, there is a limit in what can be gauged against the Premiership’s bottom team, but Tillman took his chance here to show what he can offer a Rangers side that is often huffing and puffing but completing the job under manager Michael Beale.
The 20-year-old American took his tally to 12 goals this term and netted for the sixth time in his last six matches in this victory.
Tillman’s brace moved the attention away from goalkeeper Allan McGregor — although, he’s probably not going to complain about being out of the spotlight given he’s not one to look for a fuss.
The 41-year-old recorded a clean sheet on his 500th appearance for Rangers. He’s had busier afternoons, for sure. Being named the sponsor’s man of the match seemed more for the occasion than anything else.
Six points behind leaders Celtic ahead of their trip to Ross County today — and next week’s Old Firm derby — this was once again not spectacular but a case of job done for Rangers.
Dundee United will hope the Staggies don’t pull off a seismic shock and that they remain just two points below them in a tense relegation battle by the end of the weekend. Kilmarnock’s win against Hearts moved the Ayrshire men six clear of Jim Goodwin’s side.
Beale’s three changes from the win at Motherwell before the international break saw Borna Barisic return at left-back in place of Ridvan Yilmaz. Alfredo Morelos and Tillman replaced Antonio Colak and Fashion Sakala in attack.
Before kick-off, McGregor was presented with a special decanter collection by Rangers legend John Greig to mark his landmark appearance for the club.
Predictably, the hosts saw most of the ball in the early minutes, with particular emphasis on getting it wide to test United. They did just that on seven minutes when Barisic swung in a delivery and it eventually fell to captain James Tavernier at the back post but United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti did well to parry his powerful shot.
The visitors, however, did threaten to take a shock lead shortly afterwards. Steven Fletcher flicked the ball on and Peter Pawlett got the better of Connor Goldson to run forward. Unfortunately, the United midfielder wasted the chance, getting his feet in a mess as he delivered and Rangers knocked the ball behind for a corner.
Morelos looped a header over the bar and Ryan Kent fired a shot from the left across the face of goal past the far post before Pawlett — no stranger to rotten luck with injury — suffered a blow to his hamstring as he chased the ball and was replaced by Kai Fotheringham.
‘It’s very unfortunate for Pete because he has just been out for a period of time with an injury and worked hard to get himself fit,’ said United boss Goodwin. ‘And unfortunately it looks as if it’s a recurrence of that same injury.
‘The wee man is gutted. I have not had a chance to see him after the game. He is very down as you can imagine. He looked close to tears when he came off because of how hard he has worked to get back fit.
‘In recent games he has added that bit of quality. To lose him is disappointing but right now it is too early to say in terms of duration.’
Rangers appealed for a penalty when Todd Cantwell’s first-time shot from the edge of the box was spilled by Birighitti. Tillman tumbled under pressure from the goalkeeper as he tried to take advantage but Don Robertson ignored the spot-kick claims. The moans and groans from the home fans had already started to become audible inside Ibrox with their team having failed to make the breakthrough.
United almost gave them something else to rage about when they nearly took the lead 10 minutes before half-time. Fotheringham set up Craig Sibbald, who let fly from 20 yards with a fierce left-foot shot which flew just over McGregor’s bar.
However, Rangers were soon cheering when Tillman gave them the lead on 38 minutes. Goldson’s ball found Cantwell, who was off balance but did well to steer the ball to the on-loan Bayern Munich man who drilled the ball past Birighitti.
In first-half stoppage time, Kent tried his luck from distance but his shot crashed off the underside of the bar. Shortly after the restart, Tavernier was shown a yellow card for catching United wing-back Aziz Behich on the head as they tussled for the ball in the corner.
Rangers were unhappy at the decision and soon the Australia international and Cantwell were face-to-face as tensions rose.
The noise levels inside Ibrox soon cranked up a notch, too, when Beale’s men doubled their lead on 55 minutes. Tavernier’s delivery from the right found Kent, who couldn’t control the ball but Tillman took full advantage to steady himself before firing under Birighitti.
In the closing stages, Tillman was afforded a round of applause for a satisfactory afternoon’s work as he replaced by Colak.
McGregor had one last test but substitute Mathew Cudjoe’s shot was easily held in stoppage time. A familiar end in a career that isn’t over yet.
‘In the last four games, I’ve seen a lot of positives,’ added Goodwin. ‘I see a team that hasn’t thrown in the towel and is very much up for the fight. I don’t think any neutrals would have given us a chance. Rangers are on a good run of form and we knew how difficult it was going to be. I didn’t see a lack of effort or commitment from the players. We kept going and stuck to the task. They are up for the fight.’