It's been a slow start for Aasgaard due to injury but he says he's fit and ready now to make his dreams come true
16:16, 18 Aug 2025
They've done it so often already this season that Rangers fans might have turned the art of clutching at straws into an Olympic sport.
It’s been that kind of start to Russell Martin’s tenure at Ibrox.
Despite tentative progress in the Champions League, they’ve toiled in the Scottish Premiership.
And Saturday’s 4-2 win over Alloa in the Premier Sports Cup did nothing to excite or encourage a home support craving success.
Under new gaffer Martin - with his own style of play - the punters are just desperate to cling on to something.
Anything that offers a shred of optimism and positivity about where this team is actually going.
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And Thelo Aasgaard might just be that beacon of hope for them.
The 23-year-old Scouser arrived from Luton Town in the summer as one of Martin’s major signings.
Not only did he shine in the English Championship after leaving Anfield as a kid - he’s now a Norwegian international alongside the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
So there was expectation on his shoulders.
But before he could get going, a pre-season thigh injury stopped him in his tracks - and left supporters praying that it wasn’t serious.
Aasgaard finally returned at the weekend.
For fans, he’s held up as a symbol of what Martin’s side have been missing in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Creativity, invention. Ball carrying, dribbling, taking people on. A goal threat from midfield.
And the good news for them is that - ahead of their crucial Champions League play-off tie against Brugge - Aasgaard says he’s ready to deliver.
Thelo Aasgaard in action against Alloa
Thelo Aasgaard in action against Alloa(Image: SNS Group)
As he reflected on a delayed start to life at Ibrox, he said: “It was a bit frustrating being injured but that just made me more hungry to get back.
“I was delighted to finally get on the pitch.
“Last season I was injury free. Coming in here, I had a couple of weeks with the squad which I really enjoyed but then felt a little niggle in a pre-season game which has kept me out for four weeks.
“Mentally, it was a bit tough at first. But I’ve had injuries before in my career so I know how to deal with it.
“I just want to get going now. All the excitement (from the fans), I had that inside me as well.
“It was nice to get a great reception from them when I came on at the weekend.
“Things like that will only encourage me to do the best I can for this club.
“I’ve tried to use it as fuel to get back quickly.
“I feel I can add something different to this team. I had a little cameo at the weekend. I wanted to score but I’d like to think I showed a little bit of what I can do.
“I want to be a physical presence in midfield as well as taking the ball. I want to get in the box as well. That’s what the manager wants from me.
“When I signed, he’d done his research. That’s my style of play and hopefully I can show that in a Rangers shirt. I feel fit and ready now.”
Growing up in Merseyside as a Liverpool fan means Aasgaard is familiar with big European nights.
He’s barely old enough to remember ex-Rangers gaffer Steven Gerrard producing memorable moments on his way to lifting the Champions League.
But he’s felt how special the competition is.
That’s why it’s been his ambition to play in it since he started kicking a ball.
Now, he’s determined to make the most of his opportunity at Rangers, as Martin’s men attempt to see off the Belgians and reach the group phase.
Aasgaard said: “It’s every player’s dream to play in the Champions League from when they’re small.
“And everyone here is really up for it. We’ve worked hard to get here and we know what we need to do.
“Champions League nights mean everything to me personally.
Rangers' Thelo Aasgaard during a training session
“To play in it is every kid’s dream. So if I can contribute in a Rangers shirt on big European nights, it would be a dream come true.
“I wasn’t at the Liverpool v Barcelona game a few years ago but that was obviously an unbelievable night for the club.
“Now, I’m at Rangers to write my own story here and I’m really focused on the game against Brugge.
“If I could feature in this play-off game, it would be right up there for me.
“I’ve been looking forward to nights like these at Ibrox.
“I had heard a fair bit about Ibrox before I came here. I had a few ex-team-mates who I’d spoken to about it.
“I played with Jordan Jones at Wigan then Kal Naismith - who was here as a young lad - at Luton.
“They had nothing but good words to say. So for it to become a reality now is amazing for me.”
Rather than mope when he was on the sidelines, Aasgaard watched Martin’s new-look side closely. Because of that, he’s adamant that, with his attributes, he can make Rangers better.
If he does, it might finally give these fans some joy - and end their straw clutching.
Aasgaard said: “We’ve had a few learning curves so far but some really strong games, especially in Europe where we’ve shown we can compete.
“We’ll be hoping to do that again on Tuesday.
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“I think the style here can help me thrive as a player. It was a big reason for me coming to play here under the manager. I want to use that to my advantage.
“A big part of my game is dribbling and taking people on.
“You have to be brave to take the ball in these European games and that’s what I’m here to do. I can’t wait to show the fans what I can do.”