This piece is an extract from yesterday's Rangers Insider newsletter, which is emailed out at 5pm every weekday with a round-up of the day's top stories and exclusive analysis from the Rangers Review team.

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When quizzed on whether talks have taken place to make his loan move permanent following Sunday’s League Cup semi-final win over Aberdeen, Malik Tillman’s response was coy.

“There’s nothing yet. It depends on the club and also Bayern.

“They have to communicate first then we’ll see. It depends on the clubs, not me.”

The young American international has developed the fine art of giving nothing away when questioned by the media, accompanied by that glistening smile.

The 20-year-old is correct in stating it’s up to both clubs to reach an agreement if Rangers wish to retain his services beyond the summer.

Light blues boss Michael Beale touched on the possibility of extending Tillman's stay during the pre-Aberdeen press conference last week. He said: “Malik at this moment is showing that he is one of the stronger players in the league.

“It’s fair to say that I’m working very hard with him on some areas of his game and he has responded really well. He is a key part of the team right now.”

What was evident during the 2-1 victory over the Dons at Hampden was conversations and instructions being passed on between manager and player during the match. Beale is clearly coaching him in-game which can only help as the manager continues to shape this Rangers team in his own image.

READ MORE: Why Michael Beale 'prefers' Rangers' Malik Tillman in midfield

He was involved in much of Rangers' best play on Sunday, particularly in the first half when he linked up well with James Tavernier and Fashion Sakala on the right-hand side. Admittedly, he faded as the match wore on hence why he was substituted for Glen Kamara, but showed enough to add yet more weight to the growing body of evidence that suggests taking advantage of an exclusive option to buy Tillman from Bayern Munich this summer is a no-brainer. 

Rangers Review: (Image: NQ)

Beale certainly feels Tillman has some way still to develop and that can only bode well for Rangers. Speaking last month, the manager likened him to a young Michael Ballack which tells you just how highly he rates him.

We have already seen moments of sheer brilliance from Tillman this season which is important to consider given this is his first proper season in senior football.

His potential is frightening which is why the pros vastly outweigh the cons in making his stay permanent this summer.

Going by social media, the support certainly isn’t universally sold on the idea but, barring injury, the likelihood is he will impress from here on in, ensuring the doubts dissipate. 

What we can speculate from his short and slightly evasive answer to the question posed about his future is that he seems happy and content in Govan and why wouldn’t he be?

He’s playing regular football, performing at a high level and is adored by the majority of the support.

On the face of it, he looks like he may have caught the Rangers bug. It’s now over to Rangers to make sure that bug is long-lasting.