Why Michael Beale 'prefers' Rangers' Malik Tillman in midfield

Despite his leading role as Rangers qualified for the Champions League, flashes of brilliance in a dysfunctional team earlier this season and the reality connected to his stage of career, the rhetoric surrounding him has often focused on negatives.

At times, Tillman has undoubtedly performed poorly, but the issue in this writer’s mind has been expectation levels. If he was the complete package, the youngster wouldn’t have arrived at Ibrox this summer. Adapting to demands at Rangers is not easy, especially for a player who has grown up in the youth system of a super club and is forced to quickly become a key player in Glasgow.

“I think we have to remind ourselves that he is 20. If you look at the games I’ve been here he’s always had a moment in each of the games and at the moment that’s important,” Michael Beale said speaking after the midweek win against Motherwell.

Beale had revealed that Tillman wanted to play "slightly higher up the pitch, so we're going to give him that freedom" during an earlier press conference.

During the last three weeks, the American's attacking contributions have repaid the favour.

Whether it be the game-winning assist against Hibs, that late cross against Aberdeen or goal at home to Motherwell, the new attacking template seems to better harness his quality. Tillman is becoming a difference-maker for Rangers in the final third.

So why did Beale say after the win over Motherwell that he prefers the US international playing in midfield?

“It’s fair to say I’m moving him around a bit because I am trying to find the best fit for Malik. I do feel his best position is as a No.8 if he’s going to reach his full potential,” Beale said.

“If he is going to fulfil his potential which I think is very, very high, he needs to tick the box as a running No.8. I prefer him in that position so tonight I tried something different. I won’t stop trying it very similarly to previous work with say a Joe Aribo or Ianis Hagi.”

Having come through the Bayern academy as a striker before dropping back to become a No.10, Tillman was viewed as more of a forward than a midfielder in Germany. At national team level, however, Gregg Berhalter has categorised Tillman as a “pocket winger” or even central midfielder, if able to put in the hard yards defensively.

It’s clear there is not a unanimous verdict amongst coaches regarding the player's best position. Perhaps that’s because his skillset is so wide-ranging.

Tillman is able to take the ball off the defence and turn away under pressure, helping to progress play into the final third. Or, the youngster can remain high up the pitch and utilise his finishing ability.

The loanee is technically excellent, capable with his back to goal or exploiting space behind the defence with a late run. He possesses a calm head to pick out passes in the final third, shown most notably in those mentioned moments against Hibs and Aberdeen.

When receiving the ball under pressure it’s commonplace for the German-born player to evade the opponent’s attention with a trick, faint or flick that didn’t seem obvious to the watching eye. His mind clearly works quicker than the majority of players he’s facing week-to-week.

READ MORE: Alex Lowry's deep-lying role explained 

Tillman’s attacking midfield radar is well-rounded. Remember, the higher the number the better the value league-wide.

What does this show?

•  Tillman hasn’t taken a huge number of shots per 90, but his high xG and xG/Shot ratings demonstrate quality over quantity.
•  He’s also averaged the best creative numbers (xG Assisted) in the squad over the course of this league season.
•  The high number of box touches combined with a low number of shots is indicative of strong decision-making. Think of the assist against Hibs when he picked out Morelos rather than smashing the ball at goal. Similarly in the dying embers against Aberdeen, he retained composure under pressure to beat two men and dig out a cross.
•  Tillman has a relatively high-pressure regain return. Despite some naivety in his defensive game, there's no doubting his physical capability in duels. 
•  Only Ryan Kent has averaged more successful dribbles in the Rangers squad.

A high-quality ball striker who pulls the trigger from good locations, you'd think if Tillman can up his shot tally, more goals will follow.

His key passes, leading to a shot, and assists have rarely been defence-splitting passes from deep, but cutbacks following a dribble through the defence, or lay-offs after interplay in the final third.

Do these impressive attacking numbers not suggest that Tillman should play as close to goal as possible?

As one of Beale’s No.10s, defensive responsibility would be far lighter than at No.8.

Firstly, it should be said that the manager's comment featured a key line, “if he is going to reach his full potential”. It seems as though this conversation surrounds the player Tillman can become as well as the player he is just now.

Looking at the American's profile there is little he lacks to dominate a midfield. Given his size, stature and strength on the ball, this is not a player who can only come alive in the final third. Perhaps most importantly, it’s his ball-carrying from deep that can prove effective, helping Rangers to move play into the final third before complimenting the attacking trio. 

Playing as a No.8 should allow Tillman to be more involved and become the centre of the team. While joining the last line, running beyond and contributing to attacks when the ball is worked forward.

This example against Aberdeen, which proceeded a good Alfredo Morelos chance, paints a picture of the above.

Tillman starts deep with the ball, moves into the final third and somehow evades three players before setting up a chance Alfredo Morelos should’ve scored. 

Tillman is making a difference in the final third and benefitting from playing in close combination with teammates.

However, it seems Beale believes the midfielder's abilities should dominate a match and not just compliment it as he continues to find "the best fit for Malik".