Former Rangers star Neil McCann sidestepped the chance to lavish praise on matchwinner Malik Tillman as he told the playmaker he must improve his application.
The Bayern Munich loanee was the toast of Ibrox after his winner over Hearts but he has still to convince the 48-year-old of his all round game - as the pundit doubled down on his previous fears over the USA international's body language. And McCann didn't miss Ryan Kent either as the man of the match was told to cheer up during his low key interview after the Englishman spearheaded a much-needed win for under-fire Gio Van Bronckhorst.
But the main target of McCann's frustration was Tillman who believes must match his talent with endeavour if he is to become a bonafide Ibrox star despite his vital strike which keeps Rangers seven points behind champions Celtic. Speaking to Rangers TV, McCann said: "His body language is poor, whether he is just a relaxed kid, I don't know but I just think it's as if he conserves his energy. His arms are hanging down. After he scores the goal, you would think it would lift him and energise him to go and do what he does going forward. But two or three times he takes it and turns back.
"I know there are occasions where you want to keep the ball but you keep the ball for a purpose and move it. He is really static, the fans let him know they weren't happy about it. He's a frustrating figure for me, I actually said in the Livingston game that he would be one of the players of the season. He hasn't lived up to that billing and it's nothing to do with his ability. It's his application, if he could put more into the final third, show a bit more enthusiasm, I think his game would actually increase. Because, what it does, if you have more enthusiasm in the game, you are trying harder, it makes your mind sharper, it makes your touch sharper and I think he would be more effective."
And Kent wasn't spared as the former Liverpool man's interview with the club's in-house media channel. He was given short shrift by the McCann who believes Kent's mannerisms summed up the current feeling within the Ibrox dressing room.
He added: "Kent is saying he is happy with his performance, someone wants to tell his face that he is happy. He looks really down, I think that is indicative of how the squad are feeling just now. They look a bit flat. don't they? They probably look as if they need that break to recharge the batteries."
To WIN tickets to your SPFL club's 2023 home matches, enter the competition below. If the form is not working CLICK HERE
