RANGERS have been urged to make the transfer of Malik Tillman a permanent deal NOW.
The USA international is on an initial one-year loan at Ibrox from Bayern Munich.
The 20-year-old playmaker has made quite the impression at the Light Blues already.
He scored the winner in Rangers' 3-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side progressed to the Champions League play-offs.
He impressive flashes against Livingston and Kilmarnock have also left fans and pundits excited for what impact he can have over the course of a season.
Rangers hold an option-to-buy Tillman come next summer at the end of his loan.
But Mark Fortheringham, who is assistant coach at Hertha BSC in Germany, has urged Rangers to make the switch permanent as soon as possible.
The ex-Dundee, Norwich and Fulham player told the Scottish Sun: "I saw him play either flank and also through the middle and I thought he was outstanding.
“He had electric pace, was excellent in one-v-one situations, had quality link-up play and he could finish. I just thought, ‘Wow, he’s top notch’.
“It was a couple of years ago and I said to our recruitment team, ‘Guys, he’s a special talent, we have to go for him’.
“I love German football. I’ve played there and in recent years I’ve had some tremendous coaching experiences there.
“I always keep notes on players who catch my eye. I back my knowledge, I think I’m a very good judge.
“Ingolstadt got promotion to Bundesliga 2 and Tillman would’ve really strengthened us.
“They agreed with me but it wasn’t possible for us to sign him. Now I see him making his name at Rangers and it’s not exactly a shock for me.
“That winning goal against Union Saint-Gilloise has really made the fans accept him — and good luck to Tillman.
“Rangers aren’t going to recruit poor players. They will have done their homework on him.
“And with a Bayern Munich legend like Roy Makaay on Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s coaching staff then they had the perfect connection to bring him in.
“Bayern would’ve been happy to help out Makaay, I’m sure.
“But then they would’ve also been reassured by the coaching ability of Van Bronckhorst to develop Tillman.
“Have Rangers got a purchase option on the player? If they have then I’d be amazed if they didn’t take that up. Personally, I’d do it now.”
