Michael Beale has the opportunity to win his first trophy since taking over as manager of Glasgow Rangers as his side face off against Celtic in the League Cup final this afternoon.
The English head coach is unbeaten in all competitions after replacing Giovanni van Bronckhorst during the break for the 2022 World Cup, and will be hoping to continue his impressive return to Ibrox by lifting the cup later today.
Beale has faced the Hoops once since arriving at the club and that match ended in a 2-2 draw thanks to an 88th-minute equaliser from Kyogo Furuhashi, after goals from Ryan Kent and James Tavernier had put the Gers ahead.
The Light Blues head into this cup final off the back of a 3-0 win away at Livingston in the Scottish Premiership but that comfortable win may not be enough for the head coach to name an unchanged team.
Should Malik Tillman start for Rangers against Celtic?
One player who must be unleashed from the start, if fit enough to do so, is attacking midfielder Malik Tillman after the 20-year-old missed out in the last game due to a slight knock.
The magician, who the club can sign for £6.2m in the summer, has been named in the provisional squad for the game and this suggests that the Bayern Munich loanee is, at the very least, able to play some part.
Tillman has the quality to be a game-changer for the Light Blues and that is why he should be named in the starting XI if fit. He has proven his quality throughout the campaign so far and could be a difference-maker in this gigantic clash.
Reporter Jonny McFarlane hailed the dynamo earlier this year, saying: “He’s got those telescopic limbs; he’s a big, tall, strong lad. And he’s just got the ability to nick the ball away and act as a kind of brick wall. No one’s running past him, no one’s running around him because he’s as strong as an ox.”
Along with the physical attributes the gem brings to the table, the USA international has also showcased his ability in the final third by producing nine goals and five assists in 36 outings in all competitions for the club.
The maestro has scored seven goals and assisted four, whilst creating ten ‘big chances’, in 18 Premiership starts for the Light Blues this term and these impressive statistics prove that the midfielder can be a game-changer and a match-winner when he is at his best.
Tillman is a triple threat in that he can score goals for himself, create opportunities for others, and carries a physical presence that can impact matches at both ends of the pitch.
Therefore, the youngster must be unleashed from the start against Celtic as he could be the player to win the trophy for Rangers this afternoon with his magic touch.