SUMMER OF LOVE

Award winner Malik says Rangers supporters have plenty to be excited about but his Ibrox future remains uncertain

- CRAIG SWAN

MALIK TILLMAN has told Rangers supporters to get excited about a big summer and a bright future.

But even if he's not involved in it the American admits being part of Ibrox life has made him into a man.

Tillman is facing a massive decision over his future.

With his current loan spell from Bayern Munich set to expire the 20-year-old could still return to Michael Beale's set-up on a permanent £5million transfer.

That's not certain. However, having seen the manner in which Rangers defeated Celtic in the final Old Firm game of the season to boost enthusiasm and confidence in and around the club going forward, what is certain is that Tillman can see signs of good times ahead.

He said: "For the fans it was important to win a game against them (Celtic). They can expect something big in the summer.

"The fans saw on Saturday what we can do as a team. We just have to improve and do the best we can, to show the fans and the league what we can do." Beale's job now is to build a unit capable of living with Celtic over the course of an entire season.

To do so, he needs to find players who have the character to go with their ability which can enable them to cope with the searing intensity of Glasgow.

Tillman is one such individual who proved over the course of the past 10 months that he was capable of handling the heat.

Plucked by Giovanni van Bronckhorst last summer on the temporary agreement from the Bavarian giants the kid was plunged into a completely new environment, lifestyle and game.