When Thelo Aasgaard signed for Rangers this summer, he knew he was stepping into a club with lofty ambitions and a fanbase hungry for European glory. The 23-year-old Norwegian international, born in Liverpool and a product of the famed Anfield academy, has quickly become a beacon of hope for Ibrox supporters eager for a spark under new manager Russell Martin.
Aasgaard’s journey to Glasgow was anything but ordinary. After making his mark at Wigan Athletic and impressing during a stint at Luton Town in the latter half of last season, the midfielder caught the eye of both club and country. His performances earned him a dream international debut for Norway in March 2025, where he not only scored but also set up a goal in a resounding 5-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Moldova. Reflecting on that moment, he told STV, "Little moments like [that debut] you manifest throughout your career, so for it to be reality is just fantastic."
Yet, Aasgaard’s ambitions stretch far beyond that magical night in Moldova. With the 2026 World Cup in North America on the horizon, he’s determined to cement his place in the Norwegian squad, aiming to line up alongside stars like Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. "A big goal of mine is to play in the World Cup next year. So I want to show the manager that I want to fight for my place. I think playing European football helps. Playing in the top division in the country helps. Hopefully, I can get a few caps," he explained. "The World Cup’s a massive goal and always has been since I was a kid."
But before he can chase dreams on the international stage, Aasgaard is focused on making an impact at Rangers. The timing is critical, with the club gearing up for a crucial Champions League play-off first leg against Club Brugge at Ibrox on August 19, 2025. For Aasgaard, this is more than just another fixture. "It’s every player’s dream to play in the Champions League from when they’re small," he shared with BBC. "Champions League nights mean everything to me personally. If I can contribute in a Rangers shirt on big European nights, it would be a dream come true. Now I’m at Rangers to write my own story here and I’m really focused on the game against Club Brugge. If I could feature in this play-off game, it would be right up there for me."
His path to the Rangers first team, however, hasn’t been smooth. Aasgaard’s preseason was disrupted by a thigh injury, a setback that kept him sidelined for four weeks and delayed his much-anticipated debut. "It was a bit frustrating being injured for a few weeks but that just made me more hungry to get back," he admitted. "I was delighted to finally get on the pitch. Last season I was injury free so I was really happy with that. Coming in here, I had a couple of weeks with the squad which I really enjoyed but then felt a 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."
That hunger and resilience were on display when he finally made his Rangers debut as a substitute in the 4-2 Premier Sports Cup win over Alloa Athletic on August 16. The reception from the Ibrox faithful was everything he’d hoped for. "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."
Russell Martin, in his first season at the Rangers helm, has been open about his expectations for the new signing. He wants Aasgaard to showcase his technical skills, physicality, and ability to influence games in the build-up phase, contributing both goals and assists. With the injury woes behind him, Aasgaard is eager to deliver on that promise. "[Martin told me] how he thinks show my qualities on the page, use my physique. Use my technical ability. He wants me to be part of the build-up phase, get some goals and get some assists. So I’ll just be looking at doing that and settling in as quickly as I can," Aasgaard told STV.
Supporters and pundits alike see Aasgaard as a potential difference-maker in a Rangers side still finding its feet under Martin. His creativity, dribbling, and goal threat from midfield are qualities the team has sorely missed in the opening weeks of the campaign. The midfielder’s confidence is buoyed by the support of the fans and the advice of former teammates with Rangers ties. "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."
As Rangers prepare to host Club Brugge, speculation swirls about the starting lineup. Martin is expected to make significant changes from the weekend cup win, with as many as eight new faces potentially coming in. Jack Butland is tipped to return in goal, while James Tavernier may be deployed in an experimental left-back role. The midfield trio of Nico Raskin, Mohamed Diomande, and Lyall Cameron is likely to start, with Oliver Antman and Djeidi Gassama on the wings and Danilo leading the line. Aasgaard, not yet fully fit to start, is expected to make an impact off the bench.
Squad depth has become even more crucial due to injuries elsewhere, most notably to striker Cyriel Dessers. With the stakes high—both sporting and financial—Rangers’ hopes of Champions League qualification rest on a collective effort, and Aasgaard’s energy and ambition could be vital in the decisive moments.
For now, Thelo Aasgaard is relishing the opportunity in front of him. "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. 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."
With the Champions League dream alive and the World Cup looming, Aasgaard’s journey at Rangers is just beginning. As the Ibrox crowd looks for new heroes, the Norwegian midfielder seems poised to seize his moment—starting with a European night that could shape the season ahead.
