Midfield was the area of the pitch that represented perceived underinvestment and stagnation in the first half of the season, but Michael Beale’s arrival and the January transfer window has changed that.

Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell provide a contemporary option. New, full of potential and, importantly, not scarred by the past. Malik Tillman had, until a recent injury, added layers to the potential that burst through in patches amongst the season’s turbulent first few months.

When Beale had to sell the future, after the league cup final defeat when his team selection jarred with that vision, Tillman, Raskin and Cantwell were the trio he pointed towards.

Raskin's made the left centre-midfield role his own while Cantwell and Tillman have shared that spot on the right, spare matches with St Johnstone and Partick Thistle when both played. 

Begging the question, where do they both fit in going forwards?

Beale has deployed the on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder in the midfield three and not the front three for a variety of reasons. A deeper role can utilise Tillman’s strengths off the ball and harness his ball-carrying ability from box to box. There isn’t much he cannot do and therefore, Beale wants him as involved as possible.

“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,” the manager said towards the start of his spell at Ibrox.

His strengths in the box can contribute to the numbers that two goalscorers (latterly Antonio Colak and Fashion Sakala) provide, rather than in place of one of them, as Beale has previously suggested, saying: “I see Malik as a goalscorer, so rather than picking between him and Fashion Sakala we pick both.”

Cantwell’s profile has many similarities. It’s been his qualities off the ball that have impressed in equal measure to what he brings on it so far. More than not shying away from hard work, he actively seeks it out. In fact, only Tillman (25.41) and Rabbi Matondo (25.15) have averaged a higher number of possession-adjusted pressures per 90 in the squad than Cantwell (22.99) since his arrival.

He plays as more of a progressor than finisher, able to create spaces for teammates, pick passes and unlock defences with intelligent off-ball movement.

“I think he's a very interesting player, close to the number nine, but I also think he's a very interesting player, a little bit deeper in the pitch, certainly when playing against a low block because I think he's able to bring the ball and connect the midfield and the forwards,” Beale said last week on the 25-year-old.

Two No.9s, Sakala alongside Colak or Alfredo Morelos, have started every Premiership game bar three of the 13 Beale’s managed to date. Sakala has started 11 of 13 league matches. Prioritising functionality and populating selections with necessary goal threat has allowed him to find a ‘recipe’ against domestic opponents, by no means a certainty at the club in seasons gone by.

Whether playing on the last line as he did against Hibs alongside Colak, or slightly off the front when pairing Morelos, Sakala’s got the numbers when it’s mattered away from home. Setting up the Colombian with low crosses at Kilmarnock and Hearts, scoring at Pittodrie and Tannadice and doing both against Hibs last week.

However, eight of Sakala’s goal involvements have come in seven matches away from Ibrox (five assists and three goals) while three have arrived in six home fixtures (two goals and one assist).

He’s recorded 1.86xG in six home games, compared to 3.54xG in seven away games.

The forward is more prolific when space is on offer and away from Ibrox, his name should always be in the starting 11.

Rangers Review:

READ MORE: Why Michael Beale's Rangers two striker template is working

Equally, Rangers’ first choice 11 between now and the end of the season surely has to feature Cantwell and Tillman, so what gives?

Let’s compare the duo’s midfield and attacking midfield radars. Cantwell hasn’t played much football so these numbers aren’t definitive, but can be used to recognise trends.

Here's their midfield radar...

What's the key takeaway?

  • Cantwell looks after the ball while Tillman likes to take a risk, necessary against the low block. This is reflected by his slightly higher xG Assisted (direct chance creation) numbers and higher Turnovers (losing the ball).
  • Cantwell’s slightly higher Deep Progressions (passes and carries into the final third) and xGBuildUp number demonstrate his tendency to progress play.
  • Similar defensive numbers show either player is competent off the ball.

And their attacking midfield radar...

What's the key takeaway?

  • Despite averaging fewer shots, Tillman has a higher xG, taking more touches in the opposition box and boasting a much stronger xG/Shot. The 21-year-old prioritises quality over quantity

We did see Tillman and Cantwell play alongside Morelos, Sakala and Ryan Kent against Ross County last month, which in the mind of the manager disrupted the side’s balance.

“We had Todd, Ryan and Malik playing behind our two forwards, so our full-backs had to play a slightly different game today, a little bit deeper at times. That forced the first goal and also left us a little bit open sometimes,” he said.

"We had lots of possession, got into the right areas, but maybe we were stumbling over each other.

“It’s now for me to pick a team that’s balanced because we’ve got a lot of good football players, they’re going to have to fight it out."

There is a risk of overpopulating the busy centre as experienced against County, it would likely take a structural change at full-back to facilitate playing Cantwell, Kent and Tillman with two No.9s going forwards. 

Tillman's attacking numbers suggest that if one of the two is to play higher at home where Sakala's attacking influence can sometimes be tempered, it will be the German-born player. Especially given Cantwell's progressive qualities and ability to hold his own off the ball in a deeper role.

And away, when Sakala's inclusion is a certainty, perhaps it will be a case of both "fighting it out" for now. Beale's been after competition since he arrived and suddenly, his midfield looks full of options.