Brian Laudrup has hailed Michael Beale for his sportsmanship during Sunday's Scottish Cup tie between Rangers and Partick Thistle.

The Ibrox boss allowed the visitors to score uncontested after a mix up involving Malik Tillman meant Rangers had gone ahead in the last 16 contest in controversial fashion.

The American pinched possession from Thistle and went on to score, but he was unaware that the Championship outfit were set to return possession to the hosts.

Laudrup believes Beale handled the situation perfectly and he reckons he has saved Tillman from widespread criticism.

Writing in his Daily Mail column he wrote: "Michael Beale put fairness first. And protected his own player at the same time. To me, it was a class act by a manager who is leading Rangers in the right manner.

"Beale's decision to let Partick Thistle score unopposed and make it 2-2 was brave in the sense there was still a risk of suffering a major shock result that would have derailed the early optimism of his tenure.

"But his reaction was absolutely the right one. And not just in moral terms. What Beale did was the smart thing to look after Malik Tillman, too.

"I don't buy the idea that somehow he wasn't sticking up for his own player. The opposite was true. By shifting the focus on to himself, Beale was saving Tillman from a lot of unnecessary grief.

"Now, I definitely think the 20-year-old was unaware of what was going on when he ran through and scored. After being left flat on the ground, he didn't know Thistle were supposed to be allowed to give Rangers the ball back from the throw-in.

"Could you imagine if his goal had stood uncorrected and proved to be the winner for Rangers? All the talk this week would be about Tillman, with a lot of fingerpointing taking place. He would be a villain in some people's eyes.

"Beale must have thought about it all very quickly. You could see him going to James Tavernier and telling him what was about to happen, to let Thistle score and move on from there.

"I could understand fans being upset at that time but, for me, it was a top response from a top manager. It's also about how Rangers want to present themselves as a club. Beale got it spot-on in that regard.

"We are seeing Tillman slowly maturing and showing signs he could become very good indeed. Under Beale's management, the process has definitely advanced.

"I hope he ends up staying at Ibrox. Tillman seems to be really enjoying his Football with Beale and feeling that trust from a coach is so important. Getting him on a permanent transfer should be money well spent as there is still so much potential to come.

"Remember, this is his first season as a first-team regular. You could see it in some of his earlier performances. I said that at the time. Now, however, there is more consistency in his play."