The Rangers reasoning which proves Beale was right on Tillman drama

Never before has a Rangers manager allowed the opposition to score a goal unopposed but Michael Beale did just that against Partick Thistle after Malik Tillman had netted moments prior.

It all stemmed from a misunderstanding with Thistle due to give the ball back to Rangers but the young American was unaware of the game's widely-held gentlemen’s agreement and subsequently ran up the park and scored.

It sparked a furious reaction from the Firhill side who were quick to express their anger at the 20-year-old.

With Rangers now 2-1 up, Beale made one of the boldest and most controversial decisions he’ll ever likely make in his managerial career when he allowed the visitors to equalise.

It resulted in dismay from many inside Ibrox with boos reverberating around the ground as Scott Tiffoney was allowed to run the ball towards the Rangers goal and prod home despite Allan McGregor’s attempt to delay the inevitable.

It was a huge call by Beale given their Scottish Cup progression was on the line but his reasoning afterwards justified his decision.

He said: “Malik gets injured and we play the ball out, Malik is down on the floor and he doesn't see that we have played the ball out. So by the time Malik gets up two or three minutes later because it took time, or however long it took, he sees they have a throw-in and he puts his hand up to the referee as if to say how have they got a throw and then he presses as he been taught.

READ MORE: James Tavernier details Rangers standards amid Partick goal drama

“He is completely unaware of the situation, of what has happened. I had to speak to my bench to make sure that is what they saw as well. Malik came over and I spoke to him and he confirmed it. So it was the right thing to do.

“I will tell you why it was the right thing to do. Malik Tillman is a fantastic young player and I don't want that hanging around his head. He has never cheated anyone in his life and as a football club, we have high standards. We don't need to do that to beat Partick Thistle at home. It was a complete misunderstanding and not in fitting with the way the game was played and played afterwards. The players all managed to play the game well.

“If you watch the whole scenario back it was a misunderstanding, I am glad that we are through and glad we are not talking about that as the reason we are though.”

Beale’s comments are admirable and bang on the money. Can you imagine the stick Tillman would’ve taken had Rangers not allowed Tiffoney to immediately equalise?

Knowing the Scottish football landscape, he would’ve likely been vilified at grounds up and down the country. For someone in his first full season as a senior professional, it would have been unwelcome and unnecessary baggage to carry around hampering what has been an exceptional start to life at Ibrox.

Instead, Rangers were able to find a way to progress to the quarter-finals and what could have been a divisive issue has been extinguished before it had the chance to spread.

That shows brilliant man-management from Beale who would’ve been aware of the risks associated with such a decision from certain quarters of the support.

He has impressed since taking over the reins from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sunday’s act of supreme sporting integrity should be widely praised at a time when such acts of kindness are few and far between in the modern game.

As for Malik Tillman, his stock continues to rise after another impressive showing in what was a largely lacklustre collective display. The worry is if he continues in this vein then Bayern Munich may just want to keep hold of their young talent.