Saturday’s narrow 2-1 victory over Ross County should have been more comfortable for Rangers than it proved to be, but there was plenty to talk up from the first half, especially the contributions of Malik Tillman and Todd Cantwell.
The efforts of the USA international were all the more impressive given that he was an early, unexpected substitute required to replace the injury stricken John Lundstram but this is now what we have come to expect from the Bayern Munich loanee. Whilst expectations need to be tempered, the attacker has serious ability which is doing the talking for him on the pitch.
It was Tillman who secured the Gers opener, coming after a barrage of attempts against County, who were defending deep and in numbers, as expected. It was frustrating with a breakthrough proving to be elusive but a lovely move involving the pair named above as well as Alfredo Morelos gave the hosts the initiative.
In this type of game, Michael Beale could afford to really take off the handbrake. Tillman’s introduction meant Rangers essentially had five attackers on the pitch, including Cantwell, Morelos, Kent and Sakala. This was the opportunity to be brave and bold and why not?
Unfortunately, the first half display wasn’t quite replicated after the break but the job was done and the three points secured. There was plenty to be happy about including the guile and link-up between Tillman and Cantwell, which will only improve the more they play. It was only the former Norwich man’s second start, after all.
Beale presumably feels the same, as told to the club’s official website:
“Todd has come in and the way that he’s played has been absolutely fantastic. I thought he was very, very good again today. Malik has come on and he’s been excellent, another goal from him arriving in the penalty box which I’m really pleased with.”
“I’m delighted with Malik. At 20-years-old, every game he’s having an impact and that’s two goals in two games now. He done some fantastic things and he was very close to adding another goal. I thought he and Todd were fantastic for us today.”
This was a very exciting glimpse with the promise of more to come.