Derek Rae on Malik Tillman's Rangers prospects and 'on the pulse' Ross Wilson

Were you surprised at Tillman’s links to Rangers?

Not completely, there are a number of big selling points for Rangers at the moment. Having been in Germany when they played in the Europa League final, there was respect for Rangers and although just about every German wanted Frankfurt to win that final, there was a feeling that Rangers are a big name with tradition. It won’t have hurt in terms of players thinking ‘this might be a good place to go to’.

Knowing Ross Wilson, he is someone who is very alive to what’s happening in the wider European market. He keeps his cards close to his chest for obvious reasons but he’s very well connected and has his finger on the pulse when it comes to who might be available and who might be a fit. Because that’s what we’re talking about here, not just signing a player, but getting the fit that is required. The interesting thing about Tillman is that there has been a debate for some time at Bayern in terms of who he is [as a player]. What is his best position? He was called into the first-team squad on a few occasions last season, mostly because of the Covid situation. He made a couple of cameos in the Champions League and played a game against Gladbach, a game that Bayern lost when they were down to the bare bones, they could barely put together a team. He was at that point seen as a reserve to [Robert] Lewandowski because Bayern don’t have a lot of reserves in that area, for obvious reasons, Lewandowski doesn’t miss many games! In talking to a lot of people I think Tillman is a deeper player, a second forward or play-making type, I’ve even heard people say he can play on the wing. For Rangers to be in that conversation speaks to the fact that they have an advanced scouting system which Ross Wilson looks after.

What type of player is he and what is his strongest position?

A journey is a good work for his development. Bayern wanted to promote him earlier but there was a big problem in 2020 when he suffered a cruciate injury and missed the entire campaign. Last season was his comeback, and we wondered how it would go. He was brought up by his mother in Germany and his father is American, and he has a brother, Timothy Tillman, who was together with him in terms of development and plays at Greuther Furth. He is ambitious, very talented and had been playing for the Germany U21s and been a big part of the plans there, but always had at the back of his mind that he could play for the USA due to his father. He’s not actually spent time there but qualifies through his father and I know from my own sources, that they’ve been keeping tabs on him hoping he might formally change his mind. A few months ago he said no, he felt German, but players are pragmatic and it’s a World Cup year, he said recently that it would take him longer to get into the German reckoning.

As a footballer, versatility is a strength. Julian Nagglseman, the Bayern Munich coach, said at the end of last season he liked a lot of what Tillman brings while stressing that he’s a combination player, who can get on the ball, work one-twos, bring others into play, he’s that kind of player. I’m not sure he’s a natural dribbler but we see increasingly wingers these days are not necessarily dribblers in the old Davie Cooper understanding of that position. He can play deeper and I know the US coach Gregg Berhalter, who has watched him a lot, has said he thinks he can play as a central player in midfield, but that would require work. He spoke more about Tillman being a No.10 or ‘pocket winger’. There are multiple options, Nagglesman has often spoken about his eye for goal. It’s worth mentioning that his manager has called him introverted, but that can also be a plus as he’s quite clear-headed. Nagglesman said that is one thing Bayern may try to improve. But he’s 20, we sometimes improve on the confidence front as we grow up! It’s intriguing because he’s someone who has all these qualities. If Rangers get him, they’re getting a good one.

So he should bring goals from midfield?

That’s what Bayern look for in their No.10s. People may say 'why would Bayern make Tillman available if he’s that good' and this is the problem. You have Thomas Muller still contracted for the long haul, Jamal Musiala who you have to try to get into the team but often plays in different positions. There are only so many occasions for that adaptability within a top squad like Bayern. What it means is a player like Tillman who may otherwise be getting a look in has limited prospects. As good as he is or may become, the potential is yet to be realised, there’s just not enough room at Bayern.

The dynamic style will suit him at Rangers, a high-tempo game will suit him and he will be in good hands. The other thing is that playing in Glasgow can make or break a player, you can find out an awful lot about a player’s ability to deal with pressure based on their time in Glasgow. When you go there young it is a stress test. The goldfish bowl is such that you need to develop a thick skin. It’s all very well saying you go to another club in another country, have a nice life and get paid well, you don’t have the pressure that you do in Glasgow. That could stand him in good stead, Bayern play in a one-club city and the pressure cooker is there. This will be part of his development and for someone who is maybe on the shy side, that could be a good thing.