Neil McCann has criticised Malik Tillman despite the Rangers ace scoring the winning goal against Heart of Midlothian on Wednesday night.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst finds himself under enormous pressure as Rangers boss and really needed a win.
It wasn’t entirely convincing but Rangers did claim all three points at Ibrox.
Malik Tillman scored the only goal of the game, giving Rangers a much-needed win after Sunday’s defeat at St Johnstone.
Neil McCann has criticised Malik Tillman
Tillman may have scored the winner but he wasn’t able to escape criticism from pundit Neil McCann.
The former Gers winger was speaking on Rangers TV last night and seemingly wasn’t impressed with Tillman’s performance.
As quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times, McCann suggested that Tillman’s body language just isn’t good enough.
McCann called Tillman a ‘frustrating figure’, believing he can offer so much more in the final third if he tried a little harder.
“His body language is poor, whether he is just a relaxed kid, I don’t know but I just think it’s as if he conserves his energy,” said McCann. “His arms are hanging down. After he scores the goal, you would think it would lift him and energise him to go and do what he does going forward. But two or three times he takes it and turns back.”
“I know there are occasions where you want to keep the ball but you keep the ball for a purpose and move it. He is really static, the fans let him know they weren’t happy about it.
“He’s a frustrating figure for me, I actually said in the Livingston game that he would be one of the players of the season. He hasn’t lived up to that billing and it’s nothing to do with his ability.
“It’s his application, if he could put more into the final third, show a bit more enthusiasm, I think his game would actually increase. Because, what it does, if you have more enthusiasm in the game, you are trying harder, it makes your mind sharper, it makes your touch sharper and I think he would be more effective,” he added.
Naturally languid playmakers always receive this kind of criticism and Tillman is now the latest.
Former Rangers man Joe Aribo – the man Tillman has effectively replaced at Ibrox – received similar at times.
Tillman, 20, has showcased his talent at times; just think about his stunning solo goal against Motherwell just last month.
That’s what Rangers are looking to see from Tillman on a regular basis – especially given the big decision facing them.
As reported by Christian Falk after Rangers signed Tillman on loan from Bayern Munich over the summer, the Gers have a €7million (£6million) purchase clause that can be activated next summer.
That’s a huge fee for Rangers to pay and they need to be absolutely sure if they are to fork out that kind of cash.
Tillman has so much potential but is only showing it in fits and starts – hence his exclusion from the United States World Cup squad.
Rangers need to see more if they are to pay that fee and Tillman must kick on in 2023.
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