MALIK Tillman looked like a Bayern Munich footballer, like a United States internationalist who is set to feature for his country in the Qatar 2022 finals next month, once again at Ibrox on Saturday.
The German-born attacking midfielder delighted the previously critical Rangers support with his technique, pace and work rate in an emphatic and morale-boosting cinch Premiership triumph over Aberdeen.
It was a far cry from the ineffectual displays which had resulted in him being omitted from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s starting line-up earlier this season and led to supporters questioning the Govan club’s recruitment policy.
The loanee, who set up Antonio Colak for the all-important equaliser after his side had fallen behind and then tormented the opposition defence thereafter, was certainly pleased with both his improved personal performance as well as the all-round showing of the team.
The 20-year-old and his side, who had both been under considerable pressure following some poor showings and dire results at home and abroad, went an awfully long way towards silencing their critics with the 4-1 victory.
Yet, Tillman, who will try to help Rangers finish a wretched Champions League campaign on a high with a win over Ajax at home tomorrow night, will not spend much time basking in the afterglow of the win.
He believes there is far more to come in the weeks ahead.
“We had to bounce back from the game this week (the 3-0 Champions League defeat to Napoli in Italy last Wednesday night),” he said. “We went into the game to win it, to show the fans what we can do. And I think we did that pretty well.
“I was okay. I wanted to score a goal as well, but I didn’t do it. I am pretty happy. But I think all in all I can still improve myself. I can always improve here. I wanted to play as much as I can and be a better player every game.
“Yes, I have had my ups and downs. But I feel I have way more to learn, especially from our key players in the team. I can learn from them every single day. I try to learn every single game. I would say I can still improve myself.
“As I said, we all wanted to bounce back from our performance this weekend the last few weeks. We know we did not play as we could have done, but we had a good game on Saturday and we need to work hard and keep playing as we did today.
“Everyone thinks if you don’t play it is a bit frustrating. Obviously you have to look forward and keep working and keep doing the best you can, and train hard. If you train hard you are going to play again and show what you can do.”
Tillman made seven appearances in all competitions for Bayern last term so he is no stranger to having to win every game of football he plays in. “I am kind of used to it,” he said.
Still, he feels the demands there are on him at Rangers are every bit as intense and will prove beneficial to his development.
“I got told (by Rangers fitness coach Arno Philips) before the game on Saturday that it is a big rivalry between Aberdeen and Rangers so I guess we tried to show them what we can do and bring back our joy to play again,” he said.
“Yes, I think we are under pressure every game, but especially from ourselves. We have the mindset of wanting to win every game. Obviously, we didn’t win our last game so as I said, we needed to bounce back. And we did that in a good way.
“Obviously, it (Scottish football) is different to the game in Europe. I think it suits me and it suits us as a team.”
Rangers return to continental competition on Tuesday night when they host Ajax in the Champions League and Tillman is determined to help them to finish what has been a difficult campaign on a high and avoid the worst ever group stage record in the history of the competition.
“We always go into the game to win it and show the best we can and show the energy we did today,” he said. “We will try to win it and show the fans what we can do.”
