Michael Beale has admitted his desire to keep Malik Tillman at Rangers for the long-term.
The Bayern Munich youngster joined the Light Blues on a season-long loan agreement in the summer with the Ibrox men holding first option on a permanent transfer. He arrived during Giovanni van Bronckhorst's time in charge but new boss Beale is a big fan of the USA international describing him as a 'fantastic talent' and one with a 'huge future'.
The 20-year-old was the star of the show at Ibrox yesterday as the 42-year-old got off to a winning start as the main man at Rangers with a convincing 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Scott Arfield was the other goalscorer with James Tavernier also missing from the spot. The skipper did provide the two assists for Tillman's goals. Beale is not sure of the exact fee involved in securing Tillman permanently and how the club will get the money together, but if it is possible it is one he wants to get across the line.
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He said: "We're lucky to have him playing here in Scotland.
"He's just 20 and I think he's got a huge future in front of him - hopefully for this football club."
When asked about the prospect of exercising the option in his long agreement to keep him in Govan long-term, Beale replied: "It's a pretty obvious one. I really like Malik.
"He is a fantastic talent. He wants to play slightly higher. We're going to give him the freedom to run out of that midfield and get into the positions he was in today.
"You can see what he could grow into to. He's the exact type of player that we want at this football club. I don't know the exact fee, I don't know where we're going to go and get it from, but if we can do it, I would definitely sign Malik Tillman, yes."
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