Norway manager ecstatic with ‘versatile’ Thelo Aasgaard as he upsets squad
Rangers rebuilt their squad yet again in the latest transfer window, with Thelo Aasgaard one of several new arrivals.
Aasgaard joined Rangers from Luton for £3.5m, yet the attacking midfielder has struggled to start firing at Ibrox.
Having only played five times for Rangers, Aasgaard has been troubled by fitness issues since he joined the Govan club.
Despite his slow start in Scotland, Aasgaard scored four goals in Norway’s 11-1 World Cup Qualifying win over Moldova on Tuesday, becoming the first Rangers player to score a hat-trick on international duty.
Thelo Aasgaard’s four-goal frenzy earns plaudits from his manager
As relayed by the Daily Record, Norway manager Stalle Solbakken spoke after the match about how Aasgaard helps his team, despite starting him on the bench.
He said: “There are many leagues he can play in. He is a versatile midfielder with good qualities both offensively and defensively.”
Solbakken also added that he was critical of his players at half-time, despite being 5-0 up.
“The guys are a little upset because I gave them a little hairdryer during the break,” he quipped. “They laugh a little about it. But for me, it was very important that they continued.”
Aasgaard was a substitute for the game, and if it weren’t for Erling Haaland scoring five goals, he would have gotten more plaudits from the wider footballing world.
Aasgaard now has five goals and one assist for Norway in just three appearances, with Norway sitting top of their World Cup qualifying group.
With four-time World Cup winners Italy sat in second, Norway are on course to pull off an upset and qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Aasgaard has had an unorthodox footballing career for a Norwegian, having come through the English footballing pyramid.
- Graduated through Wigan’s academy
- Made 163 appearances for the club before moving to Luton in January
- Suffered relegation to League One with Luton
- Signed by Rangers for £3.5m
Aasgaard’s performances for Norway should give Rangers fans confidence, and it is now up to him to perform under Russell Martin.
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Nico Raskin’s return can help Thelo Aasgaard
Raskin has been frozen out at Rangers due to reports of strained relations with Martin.
Despite featuring this season, Raskin was left out of the Old Firm Derby squad due to links with several Premier League clubs.
The midfielder, who scored his first Belgium goal during the international break, was excellent for Rangers last season and is much needed at the moment, with Rangers struggling.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 48 | 5 | 11 |
Raskin’s reintegration at Ibrox could prove key for Aasgaard’s development, as the Belgium star’s line-breaking passes will free up Aasgaard in the final third.
Alongside Mohamed Diomande, Rangers have an incredibly talented pool of midfielders that they can count on to get them out of trouble.
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