Should Rangers sign Malik Tillman permanently?

Malik Tillman has lit up Ibrox in recent months with his five goals and two assists in twelve starts, and his overall play has been exceptional post world cup. But given he’s been out with an injury recently, missing games against Kilmarnock and Hibernian which finished 3-1 and 4-1 respectively, and Todd Cantwell deputising very well, the question amongst the Rangers faithful is, do we give Tillman a permanent contract?

Rangers have a lot of creativity in their front lines with Cantwell coming into his loan, whether that be on the right-hand side of a midfield three or just off the striker in the 10. As well as the Englishman there is Ianis Hagi just coming back from injury who was very impressive as a creative outlet. Then Tom Lawrence will be back for next season, when Tillman’s loan expires, and he was a standout before his injury at the start of the season and given Beale seems to give is attacking players more freedom, Lawrence could be a big player for Rangers next season.

The on-loan Bayern Munich starlet has got a option to buy of between 4-6 million, given who you believe and with a mass rebuild on the cards in the summer should that money be spent on more needed areas? Looking at the ageing squad and the number of players out of contract in the summer, a new centre half, centre mid, right winger, goalkeeper maybe centre forward as well, there is a lot needed and it’s quality as well given the gap between the Old Firm.

However, if Rangers decide not to take up the option to buy on his loan deal, it could come back to haunt them given his potential and where he could go we could see him excel massively for another team and Rangers could end up with egg on their face. Anyone watching him this season can see he is an exceptionally gifted footballer, not only on the ball, but off the ball he is massively underrated. He is far from a luxury player who doesn’t work back and needs players around him to do the work for him, he puts in more of a shift than people give him credit for.

Ranking highest in the squad for tackles per 90, he is key to Michael Beale’s high pressing attacking system and the all action midfielder is going to be a key asset to Rangers given the run in to end the year with silverware. The League looking unlikely they are going to need all their top players firing to try and retain their Scottish cup that definitely includes Tillman.

What will seem a lot of money for the option to buy, it is clear to see that given his potential, Rangers could easily double or even treble their money with selling him on.

That is the reality of the situation in Scotland, Rangers look to buy low and sell big to keep the ‘trading model’ going. And with Director of Football Ross Wilson coming under severe pressure from the Rangers fans given the state of the current playing squad and the lack of refresh over the last four years, not taking up the option to buy and keeping Tillman for the next few years in Govan, could see the Ibrox faithful revolt against Wilson even more than they are.

There is no doubt he can be a top player for Rangers in the future and he has all the ability in the world, but whether he Is worth the 4-6 million given what is needed at Ibrox in the summer that’s a different story and if Rangers can afford the rebuild needed to win next season’s title and sign Tillman at the same time is unknown.