Will This Be The Season Aasgaard Shines?

Thelo Aasgaard arrived at Rangers from Luton Town in July 2025 for a reported £3.5 million.

Being a Norwegian international there were high hopes for this signing. His introductory

video upon signing started off with the hammer of Norse God Thor. If his talents were anywhere near as good as legendary Thor's powers then the Rangers fans would certainly be in for a treat.

Unfortunately Thelo's first season at Ibrox was not the greatest as he quite often blew hot and cold.

Playing as an attacking midfielder and occasionally a winger, Aasgaard played in

33 league matches however started only 18 of them which was largely down to his

inconsistency.

In all competitions Aasgaard would make 48 appearances and contribute 8 goals and 5 assists. Thelo is a tall lad standing at 6ft2 but often looked like he struggled with

the physical nature of the SPFL. Also he often looked uncomfortable with the speed at which football is played in the SPFL.

It was evident at times how good he was with the ball at his feet and when the opportunity came he could run and beat players at ease.

Aaasgaard showed on a few occasions that he has good ball striking ability from distance in open play and from set plays.

Notably in the Scottish Cup against Annan, he scored from a free kick which he curled into the top corner. A strike that David Beckham would have been proud of

in his playing days.

After a disappointing season with Rangers Aasgaard joined up with his Norway teammates at the World Cup. Thelo made his mark on the tournament by scoring against France.

This would prove to be his only appearance at the tournament however training with the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard every day would do him no harm at all.

After Norway were eliminated by England in the quarter finals Aasgaard went on a deserved summer break. All players competing at the competition were entitled to a mandatory 3 week break after their involvement ended.

Aasgaard however notified his new manager Derek McInnes that he only wanted 5 or 6 days off so he could go on a short trip with his partner before rejoining the squad. This shows great desire and commitment to play for Rangers and is something McInnes says Thelo deserves a lot of credit for.

Thelo had a great match against West Ham, always looking to get on the ball and do his bit for the team.

He had a great opportunity to assist Lawrence Shankland who was in a great position to score. In the end he held onto the ball too long and a West Ham player made a tackle from which he sustained a knock on his shoulder and was unable to carry on the match.

Going into the new season in which was a disappointing 1st match against Dundee Utd at Tannadice, Thelo scored the equaliser in a game that ended 1-1. Aasgard started the match in the number 10 position, to give him the freedom to move from side to side.

In the 2nd half after being in an out of the game. McInnes decided to move Aasgard to a position just off the left wing which proved to be a lot better contributing the goal and having a greater impact on

the team.

After the match Thelo spoke to Rangers TV and stated how he wants to step up this season and be the man who wants to get the goals and assists when the team are up against it.

Also how he wants to be a player that his team can rely on. Aasgaard also stated

how he enjoyed being in the Norway camp training and taking learning from his teammates.

It is clear that Thelo Aasgaard has come back from the world cup with more confidence. He has the hunger and desire to prove himself to his new manager that he has what it takes to play for Rangers week in week out.

I believe that Thelo Aasgaard lacked confidence last season and it was not helped having to play under 2 different managers with no real successful playing style.

Us Rangers fans live and hope that we are now entering a more settled period under the stewardship of Derek McInnes.

Will Thelo benefit from this and will Derek McInnes be the type of manager that will put his arm round his players and raise their confidence when

needed?

Who knows what the future holds for Aasgaard at Rangers but his season has

started well and long may it continue.

Alan

HATW 1872