Rangers boss Michael Beale believes Malik Tillman should be grabbing the headlines for all the right reasons following his recent displays, rather than for his controversial goal against Partick Thistle on Sunday.
Beale immediately told his players to allow Thistle to net, making the score 2-2, before Connor McAvoy’s own goal gave Rangers a 3-2 win and a home tie with Raith Rovers in the quarter-final draw last night.
Jags boss Ian McCall was sacked in the wake of his team’s defeat, but Beale was solely focused on Tillman’s many positives.
He said: ‘Since I have been here, I said I was excited to work with him. I think he is a fantastic young player and he has been terrific for the last few weeks, absolutely outstanding.
‘I am glad that we collectively made the decision we did because I didn’t want to be sitting here talking about Malik Tillman in a different light. He was completely unaware.
‘Malik deserves things said and written about him that are the right things because his effort is fantastic, his quality is fantastic.
‘He won us a penalty. He is driving up the pitch, he is taking on a lot of information for a 20-year-old.’
Rangers have first option on the USA international if Bayern decide to sell him, although it has been reported that the German giants’ youth team boss, Danny Galm, hinted that Tillman could be a future first-team player for them.
Beale added: ‘As a 20-year-old, he is a full international, played through all the youth levels for Germany and gone to play for America through one of his parents and has played senior international as well.
‘He has come into our league, he has had to adjust.
‘It is not easy. We have seen players come out of the Premier League and not adjust in this league and players with big reputations have struggled. He is a joy to work with every single day.
‘Such a shy, humble, quiet lad. I am glad that he is doing well.’
Meanwhile, Hearts at home to Celtic is the standout tie of the Scottish Cup quarter-final draw.
There is guaranteed to be at least one non-Premiership side in the semi-finals after the winner of last night’s fifth-round tie between sixth-tier Darvel and League One side Falkirk were drawn at home to Championship side Ayr. Inverness will take on Kilmarnock.
MORE : Nicolas Raskin seals long-term deal at Rangers
MORE : Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou sings Callum McGregor’s praises after victorious 400th game
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