Thelo Aasgaard, a Norwegian midfielder signed by Rangers a year ago for £3.5 million, is beginning to show signs of fulfilling his potential, according to recent reports. Despite a challenging debut season where he struggled to justify his transfer fee, Aasgaard was handed a central creative role in Rangers' first competitive match of the season against Dundee United on Friday.
While the team's overall performance was described as unconvincing, Aasgaard stood out, scoring a crucial equalizer in the second half. This performance, characterized by class and courage, suggests he may finally be establishing himself as a key player for manager Derek McInnes. Aasgaard himself expressed confidence, stating, "Evidence. Good games for Rangers, for Luton, for Wigan back in the day. Even then I believed I could step up for a big team."
Aasgaard's recent experience with the Norwegian national team, including playing alongside stars like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in the World Cup, has significantly boosted his confidence. He participated in matches against France and was part of the squad that reached the quarter-finals. "Playing amongst the best players in the world with Norway and feeling really confident, feeling good in training. Obviously, a good performance in the World Cup as well did wonders for my confidence, so I tried to bring that into Rangers," he said.
His dedication during the offseason has also been noted. After a demanding summer with the national team, Aasgaard opted for a shorter holiday to be available for the start of the season, aiming to prove his worth. "It was just to prove a point that I should be in the team and that you should trust me to come in and make a difference," Aasgaard explained.
Reflecting on his previous season, Aasgaard acknowledged the inconsistency but is focused on improvement. "Last season was a lot of ups and downs and I’m just trying to find that consistency. If it’s not a goal or assist, then it’s a really strong performance. I’m just trying to show the manager that I should be in and around the team," he stated.
He feels a strong connection with manager Derek McInnes, who has encouraged him to play with freedom and take responsibility. "The manager’s been great ever since I’ve come in. I’ve had that full belief straight from when I’ve walked in. He wants me to play with freedom and take that responsibility on my shoulders, which is great," Aasgaard commented.
Aasgaard also embraces the competition within the squad, understanding its importance for team performance. "Competition is crucial in a team, it keeps you going," he said. "If you’re in a team and you’ve got no one behind you pushing you, sometimes you can relax a little bit and performances aren’t the best."
Despite the draw, Aasgaard expressed disappointment that the team did not secure a win, especially given the quality of the squad. "It was frustrating. It’s too many years now we haven’t won that first game, but I think there were some positives," he said. "We obviously showed some character to get back, but we should have more than enough quality to go and win the game, so disappointed in the end."