If it wasn’t for Rangers, Malik Tillman wouldn’t be thriving the way he is now at PSV Eindhoven.

First things first – no part of the USA international wanted to stay at Ibrox, he just wasn’t happy in Scotland, and he was never remaining in Govan. So we can knock that one on the head before anyone blames anyone for his exiting.

But it’s thanks to his time at Rangers that clearly the boy has grown up hugely, and made the substantial raise from the Scottish Premiership to the Dutch Eredivisie without any difficulty at all.

Compare that with how Calvin Bassey utterly crashed at that level. He seems to finally have adjusted to life at Craven Cottage with Fulham.

But Tillman? He’s shining.

6 goals, 10 assists in 31 appearances for the Dutch giants shows just how well the German-born forward has adapted, and that he has a stunning 3 assists in the Champions League as well gives a clear indication that Rangers laid the groundwork for him to grow up in football.

There was no denying he had talent, but his attitude at Rangers wasn’t good enough in the big matches. Only against, ironically enough PSV themselves last season in the qualifiers did he ever show quality in a big big match.

Aside that, he disappeared every time. A wee boy in a big harsh pond.

But he’s evidently grown up a lot, and developed a tonne – he is now a £15M player, and of course, Rangers would be in line for a chunk of that cash thanks to the agreement with Bayern which saw the Germans cancel that purchase option and has already netted the club about £1.5M.

In short, PSV really, REALLY want to keep him, and the player is now happy in Holland, and no longer has the ambition to play for Bayern (wonder why).

He’s becoming a big deal at just 21 and if he continues this development he’ll be world class in a few years if not earlier.

And he can thank Rangers for making a man of him.