Rangers warned not to pay £6m for ‘exceptional’ talent Beale wants

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Former Scotland international Charlie Nicholas believes £6 million would be too big a fee for Malik Tillman as Rangers weigh up whether to sign the Bayern Munich loanee on a permanent deal, speaking to the Scottish Express. 

The jury remains very much out on the stylish USA international.

On one hand, Tillman’s nose for goal, balletic balance and his almost unrivalled ability to drift into dangerous positions in the final third makes him one of Rangers’ most exciting signings of recent windows. On the other, concerns remain about his consistency and work-rate. 

Then again, that is maybe to be expected of a 20-year-old playing regular, top-flight football for the very first time.

New Gers boss Mick Beale certainly looks well-placed to harness Tillman’s talents, having got the best out of the mercurial Chris Willock and Ilias Chair south of the border at QPR. 

Rangers boss Mick Beale wants to keep Bayern Munich loanee Malik Tillman at Ibrox

Beale admitted over the weekend that he would ‘definitely’ like to keep Tillman at Ibrox for the long haul, though a £6 million option-to-buy clause could potentially prove prohibitive. 

“I would (sign him) up to a certain amount,” argues Nicholas, the former Scotland and Celtic forward. “If we are talking about £6 or 7 million, then I don’t see the value in it.

“I have liked what I have seen from Tillman. I’m not sure Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s set-up was the best for him. Beale is clearly trying to get him on-side, mentioning him in the same breath as (former Germany captain) Michael Ballack.”

Beale made such a comparison following Rangers’ 3-0 friendly victory over Ballack’s former employers Bayer Leverkusen recently. Tilman scored two Ballack-esque goals within the first 20 minutes; racing onto a pair of trademark James Tavernier crosses before finishing emphatically.

“Tillman is still a young lad and he is an exceptional talent,” Tavernier said after the game. “I have full belief in him. He just needs to continue working hard and I am sure we will see some special moments from him.”