How Michael Beale's Malik Tillman Rangers prediction paid off

Michael Beale speaking at the end of December about Malik Tillman. After a week in which the youngster scored twice, excelled in midfield away at Tynecastle and was trusted to replace John Lundstram and take on more defensive responsibility early on against Ross County, it’s time to look back at Beale’s comments. Because every game seems to further validate his view.

There was a general feeling when the manager arrived that Tillman would thrive playing off the striker as one of the ‘free 10s’ in Beale’s system. Fielded in the front three, not the midfield three. The theory was sound; minimise his perceived weaknesses off the ball and maximise his unquestioned strengths on it.

Beale’s take was different. Playing in a better-functioning, highly-structured system out of possession has simplified the youngster’s role. Tillman possesses all the physical and technical capabilities to dominate a midfield in every phase of the game. You want him to be as involved as possible, driving the team forwards from deep and getting touches in the opposition box.

In big matches like the Old Firm, Aberdeen away and Hearts at Tynecastle, the manager’s kept Tillman in the middle. Resisting the urge to play a more defensive-minded player and move Tillman up a line.

He’s made that right-sided No.8 position his own and any hesitation surrounding a permanent deal amongst general opinion seems a thing of the past. Even if, to this writer, he’s been unfairly criticised at times during a first full professional season. How many 20-year-olds have made an impact at Ibrox quite like Tillman?

The on-loan midfielder’s radar since Beale arrived, taken from 8.7 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership, backs up what the eye sees.

Remember, the closer to the boundary the better in relation to the rest of the league.

Tillman ranks extremely high in most metrics. Note, his defensive stats are all possession-adjusted (PAdj) to level out the ball domination Rangers enjoy domestically.

What does this radar show?

• Impressive xGBuildUp and xGAssisted (direct chances created for teammates) alongside successful dribble and xG (expected goals) numbers indicate that Tillman is making a top-end offensive impact for midfielders in the Premiership. Despite his increased defensive responsibility.
• That side of his game makes for good reading too. Tillman’s recording a significant number of tackles, interceptions and pressures. Again, registering close to the boundaries in each area.
• He is turning the ball over regularly and has a relatively low pass accuracy, likely owing to risky choices. However, that pales in comparison to what is offered in return. 

After two strikes in the last week, the summer arrival now has seven league goals. It’s a slight overperformance of his xG but Tillman consistently shoots from good locations, prioritising quality over quantity.

His 28 key passes, passes leading to shots, and three assists feature a number of cut-backs and through passes on the right, as well as lay-offs on the left.

Here's an example of each passing trend. 

After coming on from the bench early against Ross County, it was just the second league game Tillman hasn’t started under Beale, his plethora of strengths were on show.

READ MORE: Meet Nicolas Raskin, the man to revitalise Rangers' midfield 

Here, after starting deep he rotates with Todd Cantwell and is picked out running beyond by Ryan Jack. A finish just evades him.

A minute later Tillman shows another another side of his game. Making up serious ground to regain possession following a goal-kick.

Then, he pops up on the right wing. Receiving a bounce pass from Alfredo Morelos, the midfielder pauses, waiting for the right moment to release the ball while James Tavernier makes an underlapping run. That relationship on the right-hand side has shown real signs of growth recently.

Midway through the half, following a Cantwell tackle which sets up a counterattack, Tillman drives through the heart of the pitch, creating another dangerous chance after carrying the ball from box to box.

Having progressed and won the ball all half, Tillman would then put it in the visitor’s net before the interval.

Below, Cantwell does brilliantly to work a chance from this standing start and Tillman is well-placed to finish.

There’s a reason Beale said at the weekend, "Malik is a no-brainer for me. I would like Malik to be here for a number of years” when again quizzed on the exclusive option to buy Rangers possess. 

Aside from all the on-ball strengths shown, the US international also made the most pressures of any Rangers player against Ross County (20) and St Johnstone (17) while recording the second-highest total against Hearts (18).

To reiterate, how many on-loan youngsters have made this type of impact at Ibrox in recent memory? How many signings possess the potential that Tillman so clearly does?

It’s already valid to ask if Tillman is the best player at the club in a season where he's been the best performer. A more interesting debate is how good the youngster can be this time next year.