Malik Tillman names the Rangers factor that helped shape his career and what 'scared' him during Ibrox spell
The star has an impressive loan spell at Rangers earlier in his career.
A Bundesliga star has opened up on how Rangers have helped shape his career - even if the delicacies on offer weren’t to his taste.
Malik Tillman joined Rangers on loan from Bayern Munich in 2022 and spent the 22/23 campaign at Ibrox, where he impressed in a breakthrough season, scoring 12 goals and assisting five times across 43 games. He won PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year award but a permanent move collapsed after their option to buy was cancelled, Bayern paying Rangers compensation, as the USA international joined PSV.
His move to the Eredivisie was made permanent in 2024 and last summer he joined Bundesliga heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen in a big money deal. Now reflecting on his career to date, Tillman says Scottish football was a major eye opener for him, as it added the physicality his game needed.
Malik Tillman on time at Rangers
He said to B/R Football when asked how big a culture shock the move to Scotland was: “Huge, to be honest. I mean, back then, I wouldn't say my English was the best. Then going there with their accent, it wasn't easy but yeah, same again. I think in that team there were a lot of English people, so it was easier for me to understand them. I would say my teammates or the people at the club just made my life a lot easier.
“Growing up in Germany, playing the youth academy there, obviously you learn a lot about tactics and then for me it was more about the toughness in the game, the duels. That's one of the reasons why I went to Scotland, to improve my game at that point. The Dutch style of playing football just suits the way I want to play.
“Ball possession, offensive, attacking football. So far I think I had a decent career, I took some steps maybe others wouldn't, but I don't regret anything. I think everyone just loves the game, so you have at least one thing you share with other guys. So when it comes to meeting new teammates, I think we all share the same passion, so it's easy to connect. I'm a quiet guy, I'm a chill guy, I'm fun to be around. I think it's more important if you connect on the pitch.”
What did Malik Tillman not like about time at Rangers?
One thing that Tillman could never get on board with while at Rangers was the food in Scotland. The playmaker admits it was something he found difficult during his sole season in Glasgow with a firm no to haggis.
He added: “The food in Scotland is questionable. No (to trying haggis) because we had it at the club once, and I asked them what's in there, and they didn't answer. So I knew, yeah, okay, this can't be good, so that's why I didn't try. Nah, I didn't try, I was scared.”
Next up for Rangers is their Scottish Cup quarter-final with Celtic. They will then turn attentions to the Premiership title race away at St Mirren on March 15th.