Malik Tillman faces double Rangers blow as US coach to attend Celtic cup final amid injury fears

US boss Anthony Hudson is sending right-hand man BJ Callaghan to Hampden to run the rule over his Old Firm hopefuls.

The American assistant is heading to Glasgow for Sunday’s Viaplay Cup final hoping to catch Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vicker sin action against Rangers pair James Sands and Malik Tillman. But he may have to content himself with only getting a glimpse of his Hoops ace, with Tillman a major doubt for the cup final clash and Sands unlikely to start. The timing of Tillman’s knock couldn’t come worse as the on-loan Bayern Munich star looks to force his way back into Hudson's squad.

The 20-year-old Ibrox playmaker was left out of the American’s World Cup squad but has responded to that Qatar disappointment by turning in a series of impressive displays for new Gers boss Michael Beale. Sands was also left behind as the US squad that reached the last 16 despite being a regular for the Light Blues during the first half of the season but he has started just three games since Steven Gerrard’s former sidekick returned to Glasgow.

Carter-Vickers, who did travel to the desert and started the 1-0 win over Iran which sealed progression to the knock-out stages, has been one of Ange Postecoglou’s most consistent performers this season. He has been tipped as a player of the year candidate.

Hudson is keen to check up on how each of his contenders are faring as he prepares to pick his squad for next month’s Concacaf Nations League against Grenada and El Salvador. The Americans only need two points out of the six on offer to book their place in the competition’s final stage as well as a guaranteed slot at this year’s Gold Cup.

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