Rangers icon Barry Ferguson has called out Malik Tillman for looking ‘bored’ during the club’s defeat on Sunday.
The pressure on Giovanni van Bronckhorst intensified over the weekend as the Gers fell seven points behind the top of the Scottish Premiership.
A 2-1 loss to St Johnstone has left the Dutch coach in danger of losing his job.
Injuries certainly haven’t helped in terms of selection, but Ferguson feels that the manager has been let down by some of those he is able to call upon.
Van Bronckhorst chose Tillman to play in front of James Sands and John Lundstram in midfield, but it is clear that the young American isn’t doing enough for the team.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson said: “In terms of Tillman, I thought at times he looked bored on the pitch when he lost the ball.
“There’s no doubting the guy’s got unbelievable technical ability, but for me, you’ve got to do the dirty side of the game, and that’s what a number of Rangers players aren’t doing at this moment in time.”
TIF Thoughts on Ferguson’s comments…
Will Rangers sign Tillman?
Yes
No
The Light Blues signed the midfielder from Bayern Munich this summer on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy, but his performances of late have left a lot to be desired.
According to SofaScore, the versatile youngster had just 37 touches before being hooked just after the hour mark at McDiarmid Park.
Meanwhile, in terms of work rate off the ball, the German-born talent was non-existent.
He won just 3 of his 13 duels on the day while failing to make a clearance, block or interception, and only managing one tackle.
It was a performance that must have frustrated supporters as it did Ferguson, and with the pressure well and truly on Van Bronckhorst, he simply needs more from his players.